The Jim Henson exhibition at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art is for those who believe in magic.
QAGOMA curator Amanda Slack-Smith certainly does.
It took her nearly three years from concept to realisation to bring the exhibition to the city which will run until April 18, 2027.
Make Believe Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company opened on the weekend, with Kermit the Frog, Big Bird, Mr Snuffelupagus, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch all making an appearance.
“The title has multiple meanings – it’s obviously the joy we all feel when we see these creatures and puppets,” Ms Slack-Smith said.
“It’s also about making amazing puppets and creatures – the company are master builders, and the innovation, creativity and design, and time and passion they put into crafting what they do – you will see as you walk through this show.
“And they make us believe because they have such wonderful storytelling abilities with these amazing characters.
“We get brought into their world. That is where the magic comes in.”
The exhibition features more than 500 objects, including handcrafted puppets and mechanically-operated creatures first developed by Jim Henson and Jane Nebel for 1950s broadcast television.
The set of Fraggle Rock has been re-created and visitors can walk through the iconic props in an immersive behind-the-scenes experience.
There are also characters and costumes from cult classics The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Labyrinth, and Farscape.
Alongside the exhibition, three free cinema programs will showcase the breadth of The Jim Henson Company’s impact and influence, with more than 90 films to be screened.
For more information click here.
