"Barnacle Bill" Puppet c. 1938

This is "Barnacle Bill" Puppet, by Chris Makrenos. It’s undated, but with the artist’s lifespan, it probably dates from the mid to late 20th century. There's something so endearing about this puppet; it's like Makrenos has captured a whole character in these simple forms. He's used paint to bring the puppet to life, creating texture and depth. The contrasts of the matte, opaque white paint on the trousers with the plush black of his velvet jacket, you can almost feel the different textures. The face is really interesting. See how the eyes are these bright, almost cartoonish green dots, which sit in stark contrast to the deep red of his lips and ruddy cheeks? The face is carefully crafted with an enormous amount of detail, which is so interesting. It's like a miniature portrait. It brings to mind the playful, folksy aesthetic of Red Grooms’ sculptures, don’t you think?