The Emperor's New Clothes

Valerie Hird constructs a layered paper diorama bridging classic fables with modern consumer culture. Framed by an archway built from the text of Hans Christian Andersen’s "The Emperor's New Clothes," the composition centers on a gilded backdrop patterned with interlocking luxury logos like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Elaborate, hand-painted cut-paper vines and floral motifs weave through the foreground to build three-dimensional depth. By juxtaposing fashion branding with a traditional morality tale, Hird critiques societal perceptions of value, materializing her ongoing exploration of cultural mythologies.