Penny Jones “The Journey of an Artist Through Time”
Westbeth Gallery
This event has ended.
A retrospective of master puppeteer, Penny Jones, with puppets and staging from the 1950′s to the present.
On view from October 12-‐26, 2013 in the Westbeth Gallery, Puppets and Stages-‐ A retrospective : The Journey of an Artist Through Time is the first comprehensive exhibit of the puppets and stages created by master puppeteer Penny Jones covering her 60 year career in puppetry. The show presents puppets in a variety of styles and materials, as well as some of the unique stages built to perform the over 40 puppet plays the collection is drawn from. Ms Jones has written puppet shows for adults, children and both. The puppets range from her first marionette to the hand and rod puppets she is most usually associated with. Commercially commissioned work for advertising and theatrical companies will also be represented. A broad range of styles and media are also evident. From small and cuddly to large and majestic, from abstract found objects and detritus-‐inspired pieces to historically stylized two dimensional works. All the puppets have been used in performance and the unique stages designed and built to the needs and styles of each show are also represented in the exhibit for dramatic
context.
Penny Jones was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After attending Antioch College, she moved to New York City and began performing with the Parks Department Marionette Troupe. In the 1970’s she founded her own puppet company and has been performing in Greenwich Village continuously ever since. Penny Jones & Co. Puppets specializes in shows for the very youngest audiences. Classic Tales and Fables mixed with original stories have been carefully crafted to cultivate a lifelong connection to live theater. Penny’s Early Childhood Puppet Theatre was described by New York Magazine as “Very simple, and perfect as an introduction to
theatre.” Extensive work in schools led to the crafting of many educational shows and programs. Ms Jones’s career has also included shows for adults with themes reflecting her interests in feminism and conservancy. Her work with orchestras including the Brooklyn Symphony are musically inspired and intertwined. The varied collection of puppets and stages in this exhibition are inherently narrative, yet clearly works of art in their own right. Through all the years and productions, Ms Jones’ artistic craft, vision and line are recognizable. Her work is about finding a way to overcome dangers and obstacles, usually with education or friendly advice, and the world is a better place for all at the end of the show.
Media
Schedule
from October 12, 2013 to October 27, 2013