“Karakuri”
Kirsty Boyle
24 Oct → 8 Nov 2003

Kirsty Boyle is an artist whose passion for robots has driven her to travel the world to work with other like-minded puppeteers, animators and roboticists. In 2002, Kirsty visited the Aichi prefecture in Japan to study under artisan Mr Tamaya Shobei, a ninth-generation Karakuri Ningyo craftsman. She also studied with Dr Yoshikazu Suematsu, Director of the Suematsu Robotics Laboratory at Nagoya University.

This exhibition is the culmination of her Karakuri studies in Japan. It explores different notions of technology through sculpture and multimedia. Until now there has been little interest from outside Japan in the Karakuri Ningyo craft, an imbalance which this show seeks to address by generating local responses.

The artist acknowledges the support of the Australia Council New Media Arts Board, eLabtronics, Celia Hartnett, Sam Jinks, Lionel Lauer, Brigid Magner and Dr Yoshikazu Suematsu in producing this show.