Isabella Levan
St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Camden
Fervent Rage
‘“For Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” (Matthew 2:13-15) Vehement in his rage, Herod opened his mouth to scream. His breath hot with fury as he clawed at his face, aghast at the thought of being replaced. It was almost as if the earth heard him, for the wind blew past softly but firmly. His soldiers unflinching; only their helmets mask their uneasiness. Inspired by the artist Frida Kahlo and the artwork ‘Jesus Flees to Egypt’ (artist unknown), Herod’s fervent rage is immeasurable and this is captured in the chaotic nature of my penwork in black pigment. The contrasting starkness of black on white allows my audience to feel the seriousness of the outcome for Herod. For upon the birth this king, another shall fall. This feeling of anger and the messiness in my pen work reminds me of the times I feel frustrated or angry. I hold my pen tightly, pressing deeply and release the emotion I feel from inside. My pen work is complex and yet within this complexity lies a story. And it is this story that I have tried to capture; King Herod in his fervent rage.
