Myths of the Green Beetle is a new exhibition demonstrating the art of Khayal al-Zill shadow theatre and will open at the Ambo Gallery on 3 October. Photo: Green Beetle Company.
Before YouTube, TVs or the cinema, stories were told in unique ways.
None, were perhaps as intricate or as unique as the Egyptian medieval traditions of Khayal al-Zill, a form of shadow puppetry dating back around 700 years.
In a new exhibition at The Station’s Ambo Gallery, Dr Sam Bowker and the Green Beetle Company look to give Riverina residents the chance to explore the history of this special form of storytelling, and the opportunity to make puppets of their own.
“At this exhibition, Myths of the Green Beetle, we’re bringing together ideas as drawings, lino prints and shadow puppets from stories long forgotten,” Dr Bowker said.
“Green Beetle formed in 2020 as a Wagga Wagga project to bring together performing arts, visual arts and art history.
“Together with my wife, Melinda Bowker, we perform concerts inspired by shadow theatre from around the world. This exhibition is the first time we’ve ever exhibited artworks made for those concerts under their own theme.
“It’s a tribute to the collective arts ecosystem of the Riverina and includes prints guided by Elaine Cameron of Unique State and is supported digitally by Timothy Crutchett of Charles Sturt University, as well as the Booranga Writers Centre, who have helped us to come up with the stories we perform.”
Myths of the Green Beetle will be showcased from 3 – 26 October. Photo: Supplied.
The exhibition opens today (3 October) at the Ambo Gallery and runs through to Sunday 26 October. On each Saturday throughout the duration of the exhibition, Dr Bowker will be holding workshops and shows, demonstrating the shadow puppetry in person and detailing the history of the art form.
“Myths of the Green Beetle has three weekend events, each on a Saturday to keep everyone’s calendars open,” Dr Bowker said.
“We have a public lecture on myth and legend in shadow theatre, which is about the global histories of shadow theatre, past and present.
“It informs the exhibition through a beautiful, lively lecture that is very well illustrated.
“The next event is the shadow puppet making workshop, which is a crafter morning event on a Saturday morning, where people can come along, materials will be provided, and you’ll be able to leave with a simple, articulated shadow puppet of your own design.
“The next, final event is the concert Experimental New Storytelling, which is a celebration of the spoken word. It’s one of our more elaborate concerts, which, of course, features shadow puppet performances accompanied by musicians and singers, and takes place in a theatre space.”
Ticketing to each of the events is limited and can be purchased at The Station’s website.
