Muppets, monsters and movie magic – a major Jim Henson exhibition lands at QAGOMA
Something magical is coming to Gallery of Modern Art this year – an unprecedented exhibition exploring one of the world’s most celebrated storytellers and world-builders. Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company will open exclusively at QAGOMA in September, offering an immersive journey through the renowned puppeteer’s creative process and artistic journey. Open from Saturday September 12, 2026, until Sunday April 18, 2027, the exhibition will shed light on Jim Henson’s work, bringing together some of the most cherished characters and stories in screen history.
The Jim Henson Company, founded by Jim Henson and Jane Henson in 1955, has been responsible for many much-loved stories – from television shows like Fraggle Rock and the fantasy worlds of The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth to, of course, the widely beloved characters of Sesame Street and The Muppets.
QAGOMA director Chris Saines says Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company will celebrate the company’s extraordinary legacy and highlight the specialist work of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop – the creative studios in New York and Los Angeles where artists revolutionised the art of puppetry.
“The Gallery is privileged to be working closely with The Jim Henson Company, whose influence on generations of storytellers continues as a family-led force pioneering contemporary puppetry for screen and stage,” Chris said.
While captivating fans of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, the exhibition will also highlight productions with an Australian connection – such as the company-produced 2023 feature The Portable Door, which was filmed in Brisbane, and the science-fiction series Farscape. In a world-first, this exclusive exhibition will feature the Great Hall set from Emmy Award-winning series Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, taking audiences behind the scenes of the iconic puppeteer film set.
A curated film program in the Gallery’s Australian Cinémathèque will showcase productions developed by the Company and brought to life by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
Exhibition curator and QAGOMA’s curatorial manager Amanda Slack-Smith said the exhibition will be the definitive look into the craftsmanship and creativity shown across Jim Henson’s many productions.
“[The exhibition] will feature hundreds of objects, from practical puppets and animatronic creatures to sets, props, costumes, original drawings and moving image clips,” Amanda said.
The opening weekend of ‘Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company‘ will coincide with Brisbane Festival in September and feature special discussions, performances and screenings. Tickets go on sale from Monday June 1 – for more information, visit the QAGOMA website.