A towering puppet designed by teenagers is now on display at the Museum and Art Swindon in Wiltshire as part of an exhibition exploring folk stories, art, music, and customs.
Standing over 8ft (2.4m) tall, the moveable puppet, named A’nu, was created by the group Young Folk in collaboration with artist Amy Beck.
The puppet symbolizes hope for the future, the environment, and humanity.
Michael, 16, who contributed to the design, explained that A’nu was shaped from “all of the ideas from the young people mashed into one creature.”
The design features the young people’s drawings printed on fabric covering the willow frame, with significant lyrics attached to ribbons on the puppet’s headdress.
The puppet, described as a “very, very tall creature of the woodland,” draws inspiration from traditional folklore figures like the Green Man.
Michael added, “It’s a concept of what I thought it would look like,” and explained how charms and decorations were included to represent historical traditions.
Created over a period of 10 weeks, A’nu can be worn like a backpack to control its arms.
It is part of the Un/common People project, which highlights the creative contributions of young people to arts and culture.
Stephanie Howell, community engagement officer at Swindon Borough Council, emphasized the significance of the project, noting that all decisions regarding the puppet were made by the group.
One of the members wrote a moving piece about A’nu, describing it as a being that is part-animal, part-human, and without gender.
The exhibit at the museum provides an opportunity to engage with this innovative work that blends youth creativity with rich cultural traditions.
Also read: The Fascination With Doppelgangers: A Cultural Obsession Through Time
