The Salmon of Knowledge Print "Bradan"
Price £235.00
"In days long gone, at a time that is long past, a great salmon named Bradan rested calmly in the Pool of Wisdom on the River Boyne. The salmon fed on the nuts from the nine hazel trees growing around the pool and all the wisdom of the world became concentrated in his flesh"
Collagraph Print by Clare Keys
The Inspiration
This work was inspired by the famous legend of the Salmon of Knowledge and the great leader of Irish warriors Fionn MacCumhail. It was said that Fionn got all his wisdom by being the first to taste the Salmon of Knowledge. There are variations of this story throughout Ireland and Scotland in some of the very earliest texts, so it was a tale well told around many firesides.
The Process
Collagraphs are created by building up layers of different textures on a flat surface and varnishing to produce a 'plate', which is used to create one print at a time. Ink is applied by hand, then the plate is covered by Fabriano paper and put through a press. Each print is created by hand, and therefore variations will occur which means that every one is has its own unique characteristics. A highlight of silver leaf has been added along the salmon's back.
The plates are used for a limited edition of 15 prints and each one is signed, titled and numbered by the artist.
A collection of cards featuring the legends and images of the collagraph prints and the legend can be found HERE.
