‘The magic is always there, as long as we keep looking for it’

Uncle Travelling Matt

Bursting with colour and overflowing with familiar friends, the world-exclusive exhibition ‘Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company’ celebrates a legacy of creativity and innovation in storytelling when it opens tomorrow at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art.

Featuring more than 500 objects, from handcrafted puppets and animatronic creatures to large-scale puppeteering sets, iconic props, unique costumes and original drawings, as well as moving-image clips and digital puppetry, the exhibition offers audiences of all ages a fascinating journey through The Jim Henson Company’s many television, film and stage productions.

Visitors will wander through Fraggle Rock with Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley and Boober; enter the fantasy realms of the Goblin King (Labyrinth), Dominar Rygel XVI (Farscape), and the Gelfling and Skeksis (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance); and see famous friends like Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Mr Snuffelupagus, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster and Elmo. And not forgetting the world’s most famous frog – Kermit!

Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) Director Chris Saines CNZM said: ‘The exhibition transports visitors from the everyday into the many extraordinary worlds created by the masters of puppetry at The Jim Henson Company throughout its 70-year history.

‘With surprises around every corner, ‘Make, Believe, Magic’ assembles the most comprehensive collection of the Company’s creative output to date and tells the story of a revolution in puppetry that created some of the most cherished characters in screen history’, Mr Saines said.

The Jim Henson Company CEO, Lisa Henson said: ‘For over 70 years countless creatives have dedicated their artistry to reflect my father’s fundamental ideas about art, storytelling, characters and worldbuilding; including the idea that the serious work we do — even when making sometimes not-so serious productions — can positively influence the world.

‘‘Make, Believe, Magic’ is a celebration of all these collaborators as well as the incredible fans from all over the world who have supported our work. These projects embody our continuing creative and innovative legacy and honour the true spirit of Jim Henson,’ Ms Henson said.

Three interconnected exhibition chapters, spread across GOMA’s ground floor, reveal recurring ideas, storylines and characters.

The first, ‘The Method, the Making and the Magic’, focuses on the Company’s groundbreaking puppetry construction and performance methods, first developed by Jim

Henson and Jane Nebel for 1950s broadcast television, and its subsequent work in TV pilots, series, commercials and digital productions. It also highlights the Company's inimitable creative processes, distinctive characters and professional relationships.

The second chapter, ‘The Puppets, the Puppeteers and the Performance’, reveals the complexities faced by puppeteers and their creative teams when bringing characters and storylines to life, as well as the Company’s long-established approach to innovation and critical thinking.

Finally, ‘The Daring, the Digital and New Directions’ traces the Company’s imaginative, character-driven productions for global audiences of all ages. Visitors can explore the Jim Henson’s Creature Shop’s technical advancements in performer-led puppetry — blending practical and digital techniques in live-action filmmaking — and how these advancements inform the Company’s rich worldbuilding.

The exhibition’s curator, QAGOMA Curatorial Manager, Australian Cinémathèque, Amanda Slack-Smith said: ‘In a world first, ‘Make, Believe, Magic’ features original sets from the award-winning television series Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock.

‘Brought to Australia from the series’ filming base in Canada, with the extraordinary assistance of Tourism and Events Queensland, ‘Doc’s Workshop’ and the vast, cavernous sets of ‘The Great Hall’, recognisable from each episode’s opening sequence, are displayed at ‘puppeteer height’.

‘The sets offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to navigate these unique environments, including their rarely seen backstage puppeteer corridors, in an authentic and immersive behind-the-scenes experience,’ Ms Slack-Smith said.

The exhibition finale engulfs visitors in an expansive presentation of props, characters and costumes from the cult classics The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Labyrinth and Farscape. Audiences will be able to step into the mystical worlds of these celebrated productions and experience some moments that are sure to excite fans including being able to see the ‘Crystal of Truth’.

Alongside ‘Make, Believe, Magic’, three free cinema programs screening in the Gallery’s Australian Cinémathèque will showcase the breadth of The Jim Henson Company’s impact and influence, with more than 90 films that feature the character and stories seen in the exhibition or explore the wider world of screen puppetry.

Curated by Dr Victoria Wareham, Assistant Curator, Australian Cinémathèque, QAGOMA, the programs ‘Screened to be Believed: The Jim Henson Company’, ‘Where the Wild Things Are Made: Jim Henson’s Creature Shop’ and ‘Beyond Henson: Puppetry and World Cinema’ bring together classic films, fan favourites, genre-defying adventure and rarely seen treasures.

Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said: ‘Queensland’s next blockbuster exhibition has finally arrived—taking visitors behind the scenes and behind the seams of The Jim Henson Company.

‘Coinciding with Brisbane Festival, and just a week before Queensland school holidays, Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company, is set to inject even more colour and creativity into our state capital.

‘Securing this Australian exclusive exhibition at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art delivers on the priorities of our 10-year arts and culture strategy, Queensland’s Time to Shine, strengthening our cultural calendar and cementing Brisbane’s reputation as a leading destination ahead of our biggest-ever event, the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

‘We know Queenslanders and visitors from near and far will enjoy their time immersed in the fantastical worlds of The Jim Henson Company,’ said Minister Langbroek.

Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell said: ‘The exclusive Brisbane exhibition further positions Queensland as the events capital of Australia.

‘This is exactly the kind of world-class experience that strengthens Queensland’s reputation as a leading destination for major events and cultural experiences, with the exhibition set to generate up to 110,000 visitor nights as people travel to Brisbane to experience the magic of The Jim Henson Company.

‘It is also expected to deliver a $22 million boost to the economy, backing local jobs and businesses while reinforcing our commitment to securing major events that drive tourism growth and leave a lasting legacy for Queensland,’ said Minister Powell.

‘Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company’ is only at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), from 12 September 2026 until 18 April 2027.

Complementing the exhibition is a diverse, all-ages program of events that celebrate creativity and spark the imagination, including talks with representatives from The Jim Henson Company across the opening weekend, hands-on making in The Sock Puppet Studio throughout Queensland state school holidays, Family Fun Days featuring puppetry performances, and GOMA Friday Nights returning across six dates in March and April 2027. Visit the QAGOMA website for the full suite of events.

The exhibition is accompanied by a richly illustrated hardcover publication produced by QAGOMA and including contributions from curator Amanda Slack-Smith, and cinema program curator Dr Victoria Wareham as well as The Jim Henson Company’s CEO Lisa Henson and Chairman Brian Henson.

Want to know the secrets behind this magical exhibition? Join guests from The Jim Henson Company and QAGOMA in a special Livestream event, 8am Monday 14 September (AEST). Think of your best questions and get ready for the fun! Register here.

The exhibition is organised by QAGOMA in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company and supported by the Queensland Government through Strategic Partner Tourism and Events Queensland; Major Partners Shayher Group, Carnival Cruise Line and Gadens; Industry Partner Screen Queensland; and Tourism, Media and Supporting Partners; and in association with Brisbane Festival.

For more information about the exhibition, film program or to purchase tickets please visit www.qagoma.qld.gov.au

ENDS