Secret Codewords of the NSA
SPHINX
Japanese woodblock (mokuhanga)
6" x 6" (15.24 x 15.24 cm)
S is for sphinx, a counterintelligence database of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Rather than the Egyptian sphinx, which is typically shown as male and viewed as benevolent, I chose to use the Greek version of the sphinx, which is female, often with wings, and considered treacherous and merciless. She usually presents a riddle to be solved and those who cannot answer the her riddle are killed and eaten. I used the head of Lady Liberty, our own most iconic statue, who holds some very important riddles for us in this age of surveillance.
2 applications of color, with blind emboss
Kochi Kozo paper
edition: 20