Installation view of 'Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company', GOMA, Brisbane, 2026, featuring 'Norman' and 'Fiend' and 'Haggis' puppets from Me and My Monsters c.2010 / Collection: The Jim Henson Company / © The Jim Henson Company. All Rights Reserved
There’s something special about revisiting the characters that shaped our childhoods, particularly when we get to introduce them to a new generation. Whether it’s rewatching a favourite movie or tv clip, flicking through an old storybook or singing along to a familiar tune, sharing those childhood memories with our children and grandchildren brings back a certain sense of magic.
And few have captured that magic quite like Jim Henson. From Kermit the Frog’s quirky wisdom to the colourful chaos of Sesame Street and the peculiar world of Fraggle Rock, his creations have a way of staying with us long after we’ve grown up.
Together with his wife and creative collaborator Jane Henson, Jim founded The Jim Henson Company in 1955, transforming the art of puppetry and creating characters that would become household names around the world.
Now these feathered, furry, grouchy and ticklish friends are coming to life exclusively at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in ‘Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company’ Exhibition. It’s a chance to rediscover the joy of childhood and share a little of that magic with loved ones this summer.
The extraordinary worlds of Jim Henson
This isn’t simply a school holiday activity where you can admire familiar puppets behind glass. It’s a rare opportunity to step inside the imaginative worlds generations have grown up loving. Children optional.
Bursting with colour and familiar friends, the world-exclusive exhibition brings together more than 500 objects, from handcrafted puppets and animatronic creatures to large-scale puppeteering sets, props, costumes and original drawings.
Across three interconnected chapters, visitors can discover how The Jim Henson Company revolutionised puppetry, from its early 1950s television creations to the Creature Shop’s blend of practical and digital techniques.
Wander through Fraggle Rock with Gobo, Mokey, Wembley and Boober, enter the fantasy worlds of Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance or come face-to-face with Sesame Street’s Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, Elmo and of course the world’s most famous frog – Kermit.
One particularly special highlight is the world-first presentation of original sets from Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock. Brought to Brisbane from Canada, Doc’s Workshop and the cavernous Great Hall are displayed at ‘puppeteer height’, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into how these imaginary worlds were brought to life.
As QAGOMA curator Amanda Slack-Smith explains, visitors can explore the sets’ rarely seen backstage puppeteer corridors for an authentic behind-the-scenes experience.
‘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 work we do can positively influence the world.’ — The Jim Henson Company CEO, Lisa Henson.
And for those wanting to extend the experience, three free cinema programs at GOMA’s Australian Cinémathèque celebrate the Company’s legacy through classic films, fan favourites and rarely seen treasures.
Perhaps that’s the enduring appeal of Jim Henson’s creations. They remind us that imagination doesn’t have an age limit. And whether you’re revisiting an old favourite or introducing a new generation to these extraordinary characters, there’s something rather special about experiencing that magic together.
‘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. Timed-entry tickets ($18-$42), day-pass Flexi tickets ($56) or five-visit Multi Pass tickets ($57-$120) available.
For more information about the exhibition or to purchase tickets please visit GOMA website.
Our two architecturally acclaimed galleries, Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), sit 150 metres apart in the Queensland Culture Centre on the banks of Maiwar in South Brisbane.
