Carnival & Parade Arts (large scale puppets)

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LEEDS CARNIVAL 2013

Midnight Robber

LARGESCALE PUPPET, designed & constructed as part of a multi-Artform Project, 'Midnight Fatcat Nah Pay tax', led by Marina Poppa and funded by Arts Council England & National Lottery.

I worked on the design and construction of this 12 foot puppet, as Lead Artist on the project.

The puppet is inspired by the traditional Trinidadian Old Mas character of the 'Midnight Robber', as well as drawing on elements of Mexican Santa Muerte imagery.

This Midnight Robber led a Mas called 'Unstitch the Rich' which was a comment on the widening gap between rich and poor, social and political commentary being a key influence on the work of collaborators Marina Poppa and Harrison Bundey Carnival troupe.

Empty premises in Dewsbury town centre became a temporary home for the project team, thanks to East Street Arts' 'In Situ' project, which gave us the space to design and build masks, puppets and costumes over a six week period.

Local young people were engaged in the project; learning new skills, building confidence, gaining experience of a creative work environment and even taking part in Leeds Carnival.

I love making puppets and masks; making the head was a really in-depth and rewarding process. Molding in clay a mask of this size is a very indepth & rewarding process as is painting.

I work professional carnival builds throughout West Yorkshire. Most recently as an artist for the Hebden Bridge Hand Made Parade; The Bradford World Curry Festival (I built a 25 foot giant red chilli pepper), The Canterbury Carnival, Inflagrante (a festival of light), Beat Herder Festival and many more outdoor workshops for city councils and education authorities in West Yorkshire.