Puppet People: A Snapshot of Australian Puppetry
From Punch and Judy to modern marionettes.
Overview
Australian puppetry dates back nearly two centuries, when Punch and Judy made its way to our shores. In the years since, it has become a beloved art form — in fact, a new homegrown take on the famous puppet show was recently announced, transferring it to film, and starring Mia Wasikowska as the wife of a puppeteer.
If you'd like to know more about the country's love of playthings on strings, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre can help. Until January 27, they're dedicating their Tony Gould Gallery to a snapshot of locals bringing puppets to life courtesy of their new exhibition, Puppet People.
Spanning the traditional, the avant-garde and everything in-between, this showcase features more than 50 puppets, as well as shining a light on the people behind them. A word of warning: if marionettes and the like creep you out, this isn't for you — but if they're your kind of fun, expect an illuminating and informative display, including Laser Beak Man puppets from the Dead Puppet Society's recent La Boite shows.
