Aodh Ó Riagáin, otherwise known as Oreganillo, is a multidisciplinary storyteller and performer working across illustration, traditional animation, comics, film, theatre and beyond.
A graduate of English Literature in University College Dublin, Aodh divides creative life between Lisbon and Dublin.
Much of the work is rooted in the bespoke techniques of a brush, pen, ink, and watercolour on paper, thereafter combined with digital colour and collage. There is a strict policy of no generative AI in the production of artwork.
The medium agnostic creative approach of Oreganillo is rooted in a disregard for the standard limitations and limiting logic applied to creativity, instead forging for an expanded creative approach, rooted in play.
The body of work explores themes such as the shapeshifting body; gender-fluidity; myth, fable, and folklore; the relationship between individual and community; language; decolonisation and imperialism; mortality and eternity; the spacetime continuum; friction and flow; nature and animism.
A pillar of the work of Oreganillo is the continuing work in the tradition of the filí (bardic poets) of ancient Ireland, adapting mythology and folklore across illustration, traditional animation, comics, film, and beyond. This body of work is a process of decolonisation.
Notable projects in this line of work include collaboration with the late Manchán Magan on Ireland in Iceland: Gaelic Remnants in a Nordic Land, and the posthumous album Slí na Samlaíochta. Beyond this, two animations on The Táin Bulls for TG4, and the comic Lochlannach for Inverse. Aodh channels Ireland’s storytelling heritage to create art and narrative that bridges ancient tradition and contemporary expression, with many works in the pipeline.
Oreganillo continues to adapt mythologies beyond Ireland, taking great care and caution. This includes continuing work producing iconography for the mythologies of pop culture. Oreganillo is also devoted to forging original myths and fables for contemporary concerns.
Outside of this body of work, Oreganillo is committed to collaboration. Key projects include animation for theatre projects with Suresh Nampuri of Já Theatre (Nightfall & Já Fest 2023 Trailer); two music videos and cover artworks for Amano Miura (Burn & The Birthing House); a music video for Carstiboy (Heute Ist Der Tag); promotional animations for Sean O'Sullivan of Badly Made Books; the graphic novella The Middle East Wrestling the New York Beast written by Alex Nicholas; and more.
The continuing solo projects created entirely by Oreganillo include the experimental short film Candlebaths; comics including Piercing Tire for Carte Blanche and Base Metals & Gold published by WiggleBird Mailing Club; and more.
In an era of rampant artificial intelligence, Oreganillo preserves bespoke techniques, ancient craft, and humanity.
oreganilloartworks@gmail.com
