Embarr the Horse Print

Collagraph Print by Clare Keys

"It seemed to be so light that it passed over the water as if the water were sand, so fast that it was like a falcon after her prey"

The Inspiration:

This collagraph print was inspired by the Celtic myth of Embarr, Niamh and Oisin.In ancient Irish stories, Embarr (meaning imagination) was a horse from Tir Nan Og, the land of eternal youth. It belonged to Manannan Mac Lir, the Celtic god of the sea.  Embarr could travel at great speed, over land and over sea. Many stories were told around firesides of how this magical horse carried Niamh from Tir Nan Og into the world of men where she fell in love with Oisin, son of Fionn Mac Cumhaill. Oisin returned with Niamh to Tir Nan Og, carried on the back of the mighty horse.

Three hundred years later Embarr brought Oisin back to the land of men. 

The Process:

Collagraphs are created by building up layers of different textures on a flat surface and varnishing to produce a 'plate'.  This plate is then be 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 unique. Some of these prints have been finished with silver leaf along Embarr's side. These can be chosen from the drop down menu.

The plates are used for a limited edition of 25 prints and each one has been signed, titled and numbered by the artist.  

A collection of cards featuring the collagraph and the legend can be found HERE