For my practice, I focused on the raw aspect of clouds. I'm interested in the god-like, otherworldly atmosphere they create when a storm gathers. Using photography, I documented the clouds on my journey to and from college.
My research engaged with Celtic mythology surrounding clouds. My inspiration came from the three planes of Celtic belief: the upper world, Albios, the world of the living, Bitu and the other world, Dubnos. It was fitting to create a symbol of three within the collection. My themes explore the gateways to the other worlds: clouds and bodies of water, like sea, rivers and lakes.
My work medium is etching, something that suited the subject very well. Applying a dark aquatint dust gave depth and mystery to the prints. Capturing the harsh and raw tones a storm cloud would create.
![A collection of pieces exploring the 'Otherworlds' of mythology](https://2023.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/ruairi-mccarthy-griffin/9dc21e37cd-1684625253/1-1-ruairimccarthygriffin-1500x-q90.jpg)
A collection of pieces exploring the 'Otherworlds' of mythology
![*Dúnbolg*, intaglio etchings on Fabriano paper, 33 x 45cm](https://2023.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/ruairi-mccarthy-griffin/9bd69ed613-1684625253/2-2-ruairimccarthygriffin-1500x-q90.jpg)
Dúnbolg, intaglio etchings on Fabriano paper, 33 x 45cm
![*Overwhelmed*, mezzotint etching on Fabriano paper, 20 x 40cm](https://2023.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/ruairi-mccarthy-griffin/9f072d4f34-1684625253/3-3-ruairimccarthygriffin-1500x-q90.jpg)
Overwhelmed, mezzotint etching on Fabriano paper, 20 x 40cm
![*Otherworldly*, intaglio etching on Fabriano paper, 20 x 40cm](https://2023.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/ruairi-mccarthy-griffin/3d6031f7cc-1684625253/4-4-ruairimccarthygriffin-1500x-q90.jpg)
Otherworldly, intaglio etching on Fabriano paper, 20 x 40cm
![*Albios*, intaglio etching on Fabriano paper, 41 x 41cm](https://2023.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/ruairi-mccarthy-griffin/429bee9c69-1684625253/5-5-ruairimccarthygriffin-1500x-q90.jpg)
Albios, intaglio etching on Fabriano paper, 41 x 41cm
![*Bitu*, intaglio etching on Fabriano paper, 46 x 46cm](https://2023.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/ruairi-mccarthy-griffin/f2a1c26216-1684625253/6-6-ruairimccarthygriffin-1500x-q90.jpg)
Bitu, intaglio etching on Fabriano paper, 46 x 46cm
![*Dubnos*, intaglio etching on Fabriano paper, 55 x 55cm](https://2023.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/ruairi-mccarthy-griffin/3ecbbc3c25-1684625253/7-7-ruairimccarthygriffin-1500x-q90.jpg)
Dubnos, intaglio etching on Fabriano paper, 55 x 55cm