This deluxe edition cover is the third artwork of Wolf and it was created by the famous Los Angeles-based artist Mark Ryden, he is considered one of the greatest figures of “Pop Surrealism” art movement. He depicts all sorts of well-known figures in his paintings, from Christina Ricci to Abraham Lincoln, in alternative ways that place the faces in another realm altogether. Ryden also draws his inspiration from anything that will evoke mystery (old toys, anatomical models, stuffed animals, skeletons and religious ephemera found in flea markets.)
This piece can be included in Ryden’s “Tree Show” series where he explores the modern human experience of nature. Ryden explains:
Some people look at these massive trees and feel a sort of spiritual awe looking at them, and then other people just want to cut them up and sell them, they only see a commodity.
In this painting, Tyler stares out as us with eyes set into an over-sized head as he casually sits on a small, orange bicycle. Strange details frame his figure, such as another big-headed figure roaming in the background and a small tree with the head of a baby in the bottom right corner. The single word Wolf on Tyler’s cap solidifies the piece as an album cover.
Tyler himself posted about Ryden making an alternate cover for the album on his Facebook and was ecstatic about it:
From 1988 to 1998, Ryden made his living as a commercial artist. During this period he created numerous epic album covers including Michael Jackson’s Dangerous, the Red Hot Chili Peppers' One Hot Minute, Aerosmith’s Love in an Elevator or Ringo Starr’s Time Takes Time. He did over 50 album covers over the next decade. As he transitioned into doing fine art for galleries around 1998, He stopped doing any album covers or any other commercial commissions.
But 15 years later the decision to design Tyler’s album cover came casually. Ryden said:
My son Jasper thought it was a good idea. He is quite the music aficionado. I haven’t done an album cover in such a long time, I thought, What the heck !
One year later on May 11, 2014, Mark Ryden created a video for Tyler’s contribution to his concept album The Gay Nineties – Olde Tyme Music
The main album cover is based on a double exposure portrait of a regular Tyler The Creator and a half-body image of who’s superimposed into the right corner. The cover is interpreting the dual images of Tyler as he’s looking over the past or on a less cool version of himself.
The double exposure also portrays the two main characters Wolf (on the left) and Sam (on the right). These characters are in conflict with each-other throughout the entire album.
The cover could be inspired by the meme PTSD Clarinet Boy.
This cover is the 2nd artwork of Wolf. The alternate cover features a grainy black-and-white photograph who’s also completely out-of-focus. Tyler said he took this picture on a roller coaster.
Classic