Mackinnon and Saunders celebrated in upcoming exhibit
Skwigly
A new exhibition bringing stopmotion animation to life comes to Waterside Arts Centre in Sale, Greater Manchester this autumn, showcasing the work of world-renowned puppet makers Mackinnon and Saunders. Puppet Masters: Celebrating Animation will focus on some of their most celebrated work, Corpse Bride, Mars Attacks!, The Clangers and Bob the Builder and give visitors a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into the world of stopmotion animation.
Drawing on Mackinnon and Saunders’ work, the exhibition will bring together a unique collection of original puppets, sets, props, technical drawings, character designs and concept art, on display together for the first time. Through a series of ‘story-zones’ the journey of each character from page to puppet will be explored, alongside the practices of stopmotion animation in an immersive gallery experience.
In connection with the exhibition, Creative Industries Trafford (CIT) are hosting Meet the Puppet Masters: A Day of Animation Talks on Saturday 7 November. This special one-day animation event offers further insight into the world of animation and includes workshops and talks by leading figures from the worlds of character design, illustration and animation. Speakers include Peter Saunders, puppet maker and co-founder of Mackinnon and Saunders; Peter Firmin, founder, with the late Oliver Postgate, of Smallfilms, and illustrator of classics including Bagpuss and The Clangers; a masterclass with Carlos Grangel, illustrator and collaborator of Tim Burton on Corpse Bride; and Curtis Jobling, character designer for Bob the Builder.
Creative Industries Coordinator, Richard Evans says:
‘Puppet Masters: Celebrating Animation will be a fascinating and inspirational exhibition for all ages and we are delighted that Mackinnon and Saunders have chosen to work with us. We hope its broad appeal will inspire a new generation of artists and give visitors unique insight into this vibrant and creative industry.’
Peter Saunders of Mackinnon and Saunders says:
‘We’re looking forward to working and developing links with our regional arts centre and showing to the residents of Trafford and beyond, some of the work that goes on behind the scenes to bring these animated characters from the drawing board to the screen.’
Puppet Masters runs from Saturday 24 October until 27 February 2016 daily from 10am – 5pm.