Articulated wooden sparrow marionette by Laura Mathews

The Kid Should See This

Laura Mathews creates animal sculptures and puppets that are articulated, meaning that they “sections connected by joints that allow each section to bend or turn independently in different directions.” Her materials include carved wood, leather, suede, screws, string, a bit of paint, and lots of design and testing.

This Articulated Wooden Sparrow marionette is a wonderful example. Watch it fly and hop around a garden in the video above.

little sparrow - laura mathews
sparrow wings
The wings are particularly impressive. They’re made from individual ‘feathers’ that are stitched in a way that allows them to fold and spread out somewhat like real feathers. Get another look at them in this Instagram video:

Find more of Mathew’s work on Instagram and on her website.

Watch more videos about handmade projects on TKSST, including Ricky Syers and his handmade marionette of Doris Diether, how to make puppets with Jim Henson (1969), and how to make a giant ‘robotic’ cardboard hand.

Plus: How do war horse puppeteers make their War Horse real?

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