Digital artwork offers 'modern spin' on folklore

A series of digital artworks depicting aspects of Manx folklore offers a "modern spin" on old tales, the artist behind the works has said.

Ryan Morrison, from Ramsey, released the seven pieces as part of an Instagram challenge based on folklore, with themes for each day such as rain, storm, night and book.

The series includes depictions of the Buggane and Manannan as well as one piece honouring Sophia Morrison, best known for her book Manx Folk Tales.

"I think it is nice to have new interpretations of folklore. Having bright, colourful illustrations gives the tales new life," said Mr Morrison.

"I think there has been a bit of a folk revival on the island in recent years as well and it's nice to be a part of that," he said.

"Now that people have a renewed interest in these tales it is nice to create new artwork that can act as an introduction for people," he continued.

"I really like playing around with shapes and colour to make interesting characters and I've always loved narrative-based illustrations."

One piece depicts the Caillagh, an Irish witch thrown to sea to perish, but through her witchcraft she survived and washed up on the Isle of Man on 1 February, he said.

When she arrived, she gathered sticks and started a fire to warm herself.

However, that was believed to have brought bad weather that Spring.

A superstition to hope for rain at the beginning of February was born out of this, as it means the Caillagh would not be able to gather sticks and light a fire, believed to result in a clear Spring, Mr Morrison said.

Another depicts Manannan's enchanted Isle, which he came across when he was driven away from the Isle of Man by St Patrick, he said.

Manannan dropped the enchanted Isle to the bottom of the sea and was not seen again.

Once every seven years it appears just before sunrise, when Manannan can see the Isle of Man, before the enchanted Isle disappears when the sun rises, Mr Morrison continued.

"I like the idea of taking these Victorian re-tellings of traditional stories and giving them a modern illustration spin to bring them into the modern era," he added.

Each piece was created digitally which Mr Morrison said took him about one day per artwork.

Culture Vannin said the images helped people "engage and reconnect with the folklore, strengthening connection to the stories that have roots so deep into the soil of the island."

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