I'm really excited / Táim ar bís to present this artist interview with none other than illustrator and Irish Twitter powerhouse Ciaraíoch!
Cutting straight to the bone with intense wit, Ciaraíoch shines a light on current societal issues and injustices with her fantastic art and hilarious Twitter account.
An expert at mixing sarcasm, intense empowerment, Gaeilge, and Irish traditions past and present, Ciaraíoch's layered art represents a clarion call of current Irish society in demanding equality for all.
Míle buíochas / Many Thanks to Ciaraíoch for sharing her insights with us! Before jumping into her interview below, check out her art that is currently available on her prints shop and soon on her new website ciaraioch.com.
Artist Interview
What's the latest piece of art that you have put out into the world?
A light-hearted little cartoon of being gradually squashed by the endless crushing pressure of lockdown during a global pandemic, I think. Cheerful!
What drives you to keep creating?
Partly enjoyment, partly the (probably optimistic) hope that you’re contributing something worthwhile, even if it’s just a little doodle that will make someone think or smile - and there’s nothing like the satisfaction of a finished piece, no matter how small. It’s cool to hold something in your hands that began as an image in the crevices of your mind.
Is there another artist's work that you would recommend, and why?
I love the work of John Cullen - that rare combination of an incredibly skilled artist with a wonderfully surreal and often dark sense of humour. His webcomics are some of the best out there if you want to laugh AND suffer an existential crisis.
Do you have any advice for creators that are just starting out?
I’m not hugely experienced myself, but the main thing is to just make things, and put them out there - if it’s good, people will find it. Do what you enjoy, don’t worry about what you think people want to see - find your own niche. And talk to people! Artists are extremely helpful.
Where can we find your work?
I’m on Twitter (too much) and Instagram (not enough) as @Ciaraioch.
