Amber Boardman’s exhibition, ‘The Puppet Show opens at Manly Art Gallery & Museum

Amber Boardman’s solo exhibition ‘The Puppet Show’ opens this Friday, 20th February at Manly Art Gallery & Museum.

“The Puppet Show’ uses the visual grammar of theatre to stage ancient motifs in a contemporary, and uncanny, context. By using room-sized vinyl prints, the gallery becomes a full-scale theatre with a stage, box seats and red velvet curtains. In front of this illusionistic backdrop, three real paintings sit atop weathered metal poles like performers poised before an audience, or puppets awaiting activation.” – Dr Amber Boardman

The Puppet Show is the first of three shows in 2026 forming ⁠THE UNDERSTUDIES TRILOGY: Embodied Joy in the Age of AI⁠.

The exhibition runs from Friday 20 February – 5 April 2026 at Manly Art Gallery & Museum.

For more information on Boardman’s work please contact admin@chalkhorse.com.au.

Installation view with painting: Amber Boardman, ‘The Storytellers;, 2025, oil on canvas, 122 x 152cm (48 x 60in)

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