Imago - A dragonfly in motion

About

This exhibition features the dragonfly puppet alongside a number of prototypes through which Oliver has explored, experimented and imagined.

Through the art of puppetry, Oliver watches, learns and creates. Oliver has captured the biomechanics of insect flight through his careful observation of the dragonfly in different settings, from the River Lee to the Natural History Museum collection. Dragonfly Imago builds upon this scientific analysis to offer an artistic study of the dragonfly which is intimately connected to the perception of the artist.

Oliver conveys the essence of the dragonfly. It is not merely a copy or replication, but an object that can be brought to life through the empathy and imagination of the viewer.

Working by hand, Oliver creates a continuous connection to the material. The design and fabrication of prototypes are an essential part of Oliver’s learning and working process. Each prototype is a focused experiment with the insect’s form. These prototypes turn his studio into a laboratory, calculating and testing what works and how it can be altered and adjusted – each one an expression of the essence of the dragonfly and the energy of the maker.

Oliver Smart is a founding director of Folded Feather, through which he has internationally toured experimental puppet/object theatre since 2011. As a puppeteer he has worked with Disney, Channel 4, The National Theatre and ITV. Oliver is also a specialist tutor at Royal School of Speech and Drama, London College of Fashion, Rose Bruford College of Performing Arts and the Little Angel Theatre amongst others.

Dragonfly Imago has been made in collaboration with artist and metal colouration expert, Bryony Doel.