Michael K. Frith, one of Bermuda’s most celebrated living artists and internationally recognized for his work on The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock, will unveil a major exhibition of his art next month.
Titled The Art of Michael K. Frith: From Pencil to Puppet, the exhibition opens at the Bermuda National Gallery on October 17 and will feature pieces from Frith’s personal collection—many of which are being shown publicly for the first time.
The gallery describes the exhibition as a celebration of Frith’s remarkable career and his “enormous contribution” to entertainment, education, and popular culture.
Frith expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying he was “extremely flattered, humbled, and a bit surprised” by the invitation to exhibit his work.
“In pulling it together, I’ve found myself reflecting on a lifetime of pushing a pencil around—how that journey allowed me the privilege of working with so many incredibly talented people to bring characters, and sometimes entire worlds, to life,” he said. “Always in service of messages of positivity, learning, and hope.”
He added: “If this exhibit inspires anyone—especially young people—to pursue their dreams, discover the joy of creative collaboration, and put something into the world that carries a message of hope, then it will have done its job.”
“For me, it’s especially meaningful that this is happening in Bermuda, my homeland—where those dreams first began. Thank you, Bermuda National Gallery.”
The exhibition will showcase work spanning Michael Frith’s entire career — from early advertisements created for Masters Ltd to original illustrations produced for both Dr. Seuss and Jim Henson.
Visitors can also look forward to seeing a variety of original puppets, including iconic characters from The Muppet Show such as Fozzie Bear and Scooter, as well as Gobo, Mokey, and Uncle Travelling Matt from Fraggle Rock. These pieces are on loan from the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta.
Eve Godet Thomas, Director of Exhibitions at the Bermuda National Gallery, shared:
“When Michael and I first met several years ago to explore the idea of an exhibition, the plan was for a much smaller show focused primarily on Fraggle Rock. Since then, it has grown exponentially. Now featuring over 350 items, it’s become one of the most ambitious and exciting exhibitions the BNG has ever produced.”
As part of Bermuda’s third annual Art Month celebrations, the BNG will host a special conversation between Michael Frith and Karen Falk, Archives Director for The Jim Henson Company, on October 18. The event will delve into the lasting cultural impact of the Muppets.
Tickets and additional information at www.bng.bm
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