The magic of The Jim Henson Company exclusively at GOMA

Fri 11 Sep 2026

Bursting with colour and overflowing with familiar friends, the world-exclusive exhibition ‘Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company’ (Saturday 12 September 2026 – Sunday 18 April 2027) at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) celebrates a legacy of creativity and innovation in storytelling.

‘The magic is always there, as long as we keep looking for it’
'Uncle Travelling Matt'

'Uncle Travelling Matt' puppet at the Gallery of Modern Art

'Uncle Travelling Matt' & 'Sprocket' puppets from Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock 2022–present

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.

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!

RELATED: Keep up-to-date with all our 'Make, Believe, Magic' stories, screenings, behind-the-scenes reveals & objects on display.

Jim Henson with Bert toy 1972

Jim Henson on the set of Fraggle Rock 1983–1987

Production still from Labyrinth 1986

Production still from Farscape 1999–2003

Production still from The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance 2019

Installation view of 'Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company' featuring ‘Cookie Monster’ puppet with cookies from Sesame Street 1969–present

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.

‘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.’
Lisa Henson, The Jim Henson Company CEO

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.

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

Brought to Australia from the series’ filming base in Canada, ‘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.

Behind the scenes of the Emmy Award–winning series on Apple TV Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock 2022–present

(l-r) 'Boober', 'Mokey', 'Wembley', 'Red', and 'Gobo' puppets on the set of Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock 2022–present

Fraggles puppets from Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock 2022–present

'Doozer' puppets from Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock 2022–present

'Sprocket' puppet in 'Doc's Workshop' from Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock 2022–present

'Pa Gorg' puppet from Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock 2022–present

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.

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.

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.

The Sock Puppet Studio

Want to know the secrets behind this magical exhibition? Watch our behind-the-scenes livestream

Join guests from The Jim Henson Company and QAGOMA in a special Livestream event.

USA
SUNDAY 13 Sept
3.00PM (PDT)
6.00PM (EDT)

AUS
MONDAY 14 Sept
8.00AM (AEST) Queensland, New South Wales & Victoria
7:30AM (ACST) South Australia & Northern Territory
6.00AM (AWST) Western Australia

Australian Media Personality Sofie Formica speaks with members of QAGOMA’s Curatorial and Conservation teams, along with very special guests live from the United States: Nicole Goldman, John Tartaglia, and Karen Falk from The Jim Henson Company; and Peter Brook, and Jason Weber from Jim Henson's Creature Shop.

Think of your best questions and get ready for the fun! Register here and watch the video below for a sneak peek.

Only at GOMA. Exclusive to Brisbane, Queensland.

For more information on the exhibition visit:
Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company
Sat 12 September 2026 – Sun 18 April 2027
Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
Gallery 1.1 (The Fairfax Gallery), Gallery 1.2, Gallery 1.3 (Eric and Marion Taylor Gallery) & River Room (Sue and Brian King River Room)

Buy tickets in advance to 'The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company' to guarantee entry. Tickets are also available at the exhibition entry unless sold out. Last session 4.00pm daily. Exhibition closes at 5.00pm.
Get tickets

For the full cinema programs visit:
Screened to be Believed: The Jim Henson Company
Where the Wild Things Are Made: Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
Beyond Henson: Puppetry and World Cinema
Sat 12 September 2026 – Sun 18 April 2027
Australian Cinémathèque, GOMA

The ‘Make, Believe, Magic’ cinema programs are free, with screenings on selected Wednesday and Friday nights and throughout the day on Saturday and Sundays.

This exhibition is organised by QAGOMA in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company.

QAGOMA is excited to be celebrating the opening of ‘Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company’ in association with Brisbane Festival in September.

Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)
Brisbane, Australia