PRINTMAKING
A collection of etched/aquatint prints based on Irish mythology and literature
Cliodhna's Wave
Cliodhna was an immortal woman who fell in love with a mortal man across the sea in Ireland. She sacrificed her eternal life to travel and seek out her lover. The Irish sea God, Manannan Mac Lir, was outraged by this act and in recall sent his minstrels to Glandore Harbour where Cliodhna rested. The mythical musicians lulled her into a deep sleep which inevitably drowned her as a powerful wave swept her away, never to unite with her lover.
The Bloody Chambers
A gothic image from Angela Carter's short story. This scene is taken from early in the story where the young newly wed lays vulnerable in her floral and gargoyled bridal chamber.
The Children Of Lir
King Lir of Ireland had four children which he adored. Aoife was stepmother to these children and initially cared for them tenderly. As time went by Aoife's jealousy of the love between the children and their father grew exponentially. She could no longer bear it. One day, with murderous intentions, she took the children to the Lake of Darvra where she told the children to bathe. Unable to bring herself to drown the poor children she instead cursed them to become swans for the next 900 years.
The Discovery Of Sadhbh
Sadhbh was cursed by a druid to live her life in the form of a deer. Whilst the Irish warrior, Fionn Mac Cumhaill, was out hunting with his two loyal dogs (Bran and Sceolang), he stumbled across this unique deer. As his dogs were born of a cursed woman, similar to Sadhbh, they immediately recognised the trapped human form before them and didn't attack. After communicating this to Fionn, the warrior took Sadhbh back to his home and through his compassion broke the curse. The two later married and had a son named Oisin.
The Battle Of Giants
In order to establish who the largest and mightiest was between the Scottish Giant (Benandonner) and the Irish Giant (Fionn Mac Cumhaill), a battle was to take place. As the two giants lived across the sea from each other, they began breaking apart the coastlines and threw boulders into the water to build a bridge which is known as The Giant's Causeway. Fionn Mac Cumhaill was the first to head over the bridge only to find his enemy asleep. It was noticeable that Benandonner was far larger than Fionn, so the Irish giant ran home in fear. He told his wife about his encounter and she came up with a plan. She dressed Fionn in baby clothes and had his lay in a cot. When Benandonner came knocking at her door searching for Fionn, he was surprised to discover an enormous baby. Thinking he wouldn't want to be around to see how big the father must be, Benandonner retreated to Scotland and the two giants never met again.