For this assemblage work I used the head of a hand puppet from my own childhood. This particular character is “The Robber” and belongs to the classical “Kasperle” puppet cast which is rooted in German medieval storytelling traditions but is still enjoyed by German children for role play nowadays. In his original role the Robber is a mean clumsy crook who takes advantage of everybody’s good faith and lives the opportunistic yet unfulfilled life of a lonely vagabond.

For this piece the Robber finds himself in an opposite role but experiences a similar result. I gave him a an overflowing teapot for a body to show his wealth. But at the end he has nobody to share his rich tea with. His cups are empty.

Mixed media assemblage: 1960s German vinyl puppet head, Dutch mid century copper & brass teapot, old metal baking mold, vintage wooden Dutch clogs salt & pepper shakers, found wooden plate with stand, vintage acrylic crystal necklace, various collected toy porcelain tea cups, vintage copper keyhole cover, leather cord, brass hardware, book clippings.

16” x 10” x 7”