In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, sisters of various French convents began dressing dolls in religious costumes. However, a nun doll from an earlier period is available at antique auctions, which offer examples in religious garb from the mid and even early 18th century.Catholic communities in major cities sent specially purchased inexpensive dolls to remote convents with instructions and ...

Tanya Marriott is a world-renowned doll and toy maker, past president of the National Institute of American Doll Artists NIADA and a graduate of Pictoplasma Academy. She has been creating dolls inspired by the world around her for over 20 years. Tanya Marriott now teaches at Massey University, the College of Creative Arts in New Zealand, and is head of the Conceptual Design Programme and the Weta Master's School at Massey University in New Zealand.

Folkert de Jong is best known for his theatrical narrative paintings that address themes of war, greed and power. "When I watch the news or follow the world through the media," Folkert de Jong stated in a conversation with critic Stephen Cox in 2013, "I can't believe what I hear and see, it's like ...

Stephanie Metz called her woollen project "The Unnatural History of the Teddy Bear", drawing attention to the problems of ecology and wildlife conservation. The "inside view" of the teddy bear, which is subjected to anatomical detailing and even "conservation" gives the project an acute social meaning. At first glance teddy bears seem trivial: toys for children and symbols of innocence, comfort and nostalgia. But the teddy ...

Kathryn Walmsley is an internationally renowned artist and member of NIADA. Her work seamlessly combines the traditions of ancient handicrafts and the artistic vision of the modern puppeteer. I most enjoy giving an old story a new twist or creating my own imaginary characters with a touch of humour. It's all about the idea, which often seeps in for months or years before ...

E.J.Taylor is an American artist who studied art and theatre in college and then costume and fashion design at Parsons School of Design in New York City. He was a member of the United Alliance of Motion Picture and Theatre Artists in New York. His interest in puppet making began with his introduction to folk puppets as a child. He began making dolls out of bale wire, cotton, scraps of ...