I fell in love with giant puppet-making under the guidance of renowned carnival artist Murphy Winters, who introduced me to traditional Mas Puppets, worn on the performers back, without the use of wheels.
Over the years I have experimented with various sculpting techniques and found I am most happy with aluminium, fiberglass and fabric. Today, I continue to explore inventive construction, movement and materials.
Three Giant Bengali Puppets:
Owl, Tepa Putul and Peacock.
Tower hamlets Brick Lane Curry Festival 2026 | Commissioned by Emergency Exit Arts (EEA)
Lead Artist, Sculptor & Fabricator: Iola Weir Designer: Shama Anom
Commissioned for the Tower Hamlets Brick Lane Curry Festival, this series of three giant Bengali puppets celebrates cultural identity, storytelling and artistic collaboration.
Working from designs by Bengali artist Shama Anom, I led the sculptural development and fabrication of Owl, Tepa Putul and Peacock. Owl's fabrics were painted by Bengali artist Baten, and I was assisted by the incredible volunteer Jennifer Popiolek
LADY DART
Totnes Festival — Celebrating Home | Commission
Designed, sculpted and fabricated by iola weir
LADY DART
Totnes Festival — Celebrating Home | Commission
Designed, sculpted and fabricated by iola weir
A 4.5 m tall puppet celebrating home, belonging and community through the river that binds us.
Constructed from cane and made using recycled fabrics from previous projects and reclaimed materials.
Photography credit : Theo Moye
Cyclone
The Goat Ghost of the Dorset Coast
GLobal Grooves | Bournemouth Arts by the Sea
Encrusted with deep sea phenomena, and shipwreck treasures, Cyclone is a fantastical goat ghost whose travles tell the tale of the mysteries of the Dorset coastline.
Developed through material-led experimentation, and lots of wrapping.
Collaboration with Winton College and local artists Anna Shiels and Rosemary Edwards.
Oxun
Leading the build with 10 visual artists on the GLobal Grooves Future LEaders Programe
Aurora
A puppet designed to embody the Aurora Borealis
She was commissioned by GLobal Grooves
and I hear she is the People's Favourite!
Padmini
Based on my favourite Bollywood Actress Padmini.
I was so excited to be asked to make a gorgeous Indian Female puppet
I explored a 3d pattercutting approach for her body, while building her of the usual aluminium framework.
I believe she is my first ever Clay sculpt since 2001!
I spent some time as a molding and casting assitant and was finally able to create my own fiberglass cast from the sculpt.
I invited students from Plymouth College of Art to assist me on the build at my studio in Devon
Once she was partially built, she was then completed as part of the Future Leaders programme, where I led several years as Visual Arts Mentor.
Commissioned by Global Grooves
I.O.L.A. V2
Sivaji
Padmini needed a boyfriend so we made her Sivaji.
Oxumare
Commissioned by Global Grooves as part of their "Project Phoenix"
Constance
My first ever Giant Puppet
Having spent an eternity supporting artists, I finally got a chance to explore a world beyond props and costume. I have always loved aluminium and textiles, weaving and transparencies, layering and forming.
I couldn't wait to get sculpting!
As this was quite a significant challenge to go large, I asked my dear friend Tony Mason to build be the backpack and basic skeleton from which I could sculpt the beautiful constance.
She had a short life and was sadly buried in the great fire.
Commissioned by GLobal Grooves
Tommy Cooper
Admittedly, having not grown up in the UK, I had no idea who Tommy Cooper was.
Needless to say I was CHARMED!
I watched many videos to find his profile and get a good look at his expressions.
his frame was already built and I had the pleasure of sculpting him and making his costume
He is one of my favourite scuplts by far!
commissioned by Burn The Curtain for the Turn on the Lights Exeter
celebrate south africa
Laminate Puppet
IOW 2001
When I finally entered Murphy's structural workshop after 3 weeks of dabbling in wire sculptures, batik, face-painting and costume making, I never left.
I had been wacthing him make backpacks and draw techincal drawings, but now it was my turn to help him and what an honour that was .
He donned me the task of creating the patterns for the laminate puppet body parts.
These were panels that were assembled from flat to 3d, using precise measurements and seam allowances.
I understood his language- and I found my home.
The following Puppets are collaborations where I most likely made the costume and accessories elements,
usually working alongside the incredible Tony Mason:
Gordons Dames
The Patron's Lunch
Lead Puppet Dresser: iola Weir
Designer/ Lead puppet builder/ sculptor : Tony Mason
Assistant Puppet Dresser: Kitty Power
Kinetika
Grumblebum
I made the costume for this fine fellow.
I didn't have much to work from as he was being built while I made the costume, but we make it work as always !
Designed and built by Tony Mason at Rose Bruford COllege with Students from the Scenic and Props degree
Kinetika Commission
