Jhess Knight
artist statement.
Come in, sit down, grab a cup of tea, and let’s talk about puppets! I’m Jhess Knight, founder of The Puppetsmithery, a collective of artists woven into the guts of Melbourne's buzzing puppetry scene. With training from the London School of Puppetry and years of hands-on experience, I specialize in crafting puppets that meet the brief, but if I have the opportunity, I always prefer to create my own original characters and stories!
What started in 2013 as a solo endeavor has since blossomed into a dynamic collective, dedicated to growing our creative community and creating as much work as we can! From custom puppet designs to live performances for TV, theatre, and festivals, I bring creative ideas to life with energy and flare.
Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with amazing clients like ABC Kids, Zoos Victoria, Gordi, Whistle & Trick and HVK Productions among others, and contributing to films like Judy & Punch, The Emu Wars, and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
Beyond The Puppetsmithery, I’m also the founder of Trash Puppets, a project that combines creativity and sustainability by transforming waste into art. Through Trash Puppets, I encourage others to rethink materials and create meaningful, playful work that celebrates both creativity and the environment.
I take the ethos of Trash Puppets into everything I do, always trying to be as environmentally conscious as possible with my creations.
For more see www.thepuppetsmithery.com.au or follow us on instagram @thepuppetsmithery
You can also visit trashpuppets.com
