HENSON
Unusual People An Albuquerque artist influenced Jim Henson’s films.
P
UPPETEERS ARE UNUSUAL people. They create and inhabit imaginary beings with vaguely human attributes—all
born from the imagination. Puppets are on display this winter at the Albuquer-
que Museum as part of The Jim Henson HEATHER KENNEDY DERIVAT
Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited. Most well-known for the Muppets, Jim Henson’s darker stories and creatures came to life in feature films such as The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. Both were a good fit for Michael McCormick, sculptor, painter, storyteller, teacher, of pieces of Jim Henson’s imaginary
squeaky voice. From there, McCormick
in Albuquerque, has been (and still is) a
creatures, and a teacher who thrives on
was compelled to become a Punch and
Punch and Judy street performer, creator
the art of the story in its many forms. His
Judy street performer, which he did
sculpture, Dead Pawn, was previously
for years all over the country, creating
featured in Common Ground and is part
his own versions of the puppets. Once,
of the Albuquerque Museum’s perma-
when he was performing with son Sean
nent collection.
in Santa Fe, country music singer Roger
COURTESY MICHAEL MCCORMICK
and puppeteer. McCormick, who lives
As a young adult studying art therapy, McCormick had what he calls a Jungian
mick how his puppets had scared his
epiphany. The figure of Punch—from the
own son. Miller asked him, “Has Jim
famous 300-year-old puppet show Punch
Henson ever seen your puppets?”
and Judy—burst into his consciousness, and he began dreaming in Punch’s 6
WINTER 2020
Art. History. People.
Miller caught the show. He told McCor-
Thus began a two-year family adventure working on The Dark Crystal in
