QAGOMA's 'Make, Believe, Magic' Celebrates 70 Years of Jim Henson Company

The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Brisbane is hosting 'Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company,' a world-exclusive exhibition running from 12 September 2026 to 18 April 2027. Curated by Amanda Slack-Smith, the exhibition marks 70 years of The Jim Henson Company, 50 years of The Muppet Show, and 40 years of the film Labyrinth. It features hundreds of objects including puppets, animatronic creatures, original sketches, props, costumes, and sets, as well as a tribute to David Bowie's 'Magic Dance' from Labyrinth. A highlight is the authentic Great Hall set from the current series 'Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock,' allowing visitors to walk through a real production set. The exhibition follows QAGOMA's previous screen culture showcases, including a David Lynch retrospective in 2015 and a Marvel exhibition in 2017. Slack-Smith was inspired by the gallery's 2023 'Fairy Tales' exhibition, which featured items from Labyrinth and Where the Wild Things Are. Puppeteer John Tartaglia, Vice President of Development and Production at The Jim Henson Company, is involved in the exhibition and a reboot of Fraggle Rock. Both curators emphasize the enduring magic of puppetry, its handmade craftsmanship, and its ability to address complex themes in an accessible way. The exhibition is part of QAGOMA's broader efforts to highlight screen culture beyond its cinema.