Kaylie Joy Black

Since graduating from the University of Leeds in 2009 I have developed my obsession with puppetry and masks through working with other artists, designers and schools to be where I am today.

As a designer in theatre, I enjoy the element of play, and believe a performance should be just as interactive for the audience as it is for the performers. In my work I like to look at space, how it changes in a performance, how it effects a performance and try to incorporate it into the narrative as much as possible. I also use puppetry and masks to explore the effect they has on the narrative of performance and forces the performers to use their entire knowledge of movement and gesture to express themselves. I enjoy using space, puppets and masks in this way as it makes it obvious that I am not re-creating reality, as theatre is not reality. I look to use representations rather than real objects.

My work is made, where possible, from recycled materials. This gives a new life to lost and broken objects and provides an antidote to modern technologically focused performance practices.