The Museum of Forkbeard

After four decades of large-scale interactive exhibitions across the UK and Abroad, Forkbeard concentrated everything into one big working display at their Waterslade Studios in Devon. This was open to the public every year for 8 years until we finally closed its doors in 2021.

However!… all is by no means lost…

Thanks to the amazing foresight of The Bristol Theatre Collection the whole experience was recorded in Virtual 3-D. You can now visit the Museum virtually – for centuries nay eons to come here »
“Demented enchantment that can induce spasms of giddy pleasure, deliciously witty”

The TIMES

Twas a wondersome array of creations, many sensor-operated, coming alive as you passed among them. Giant marionettes jostled with life-size creatures and automata – all old familiar Forkbeard friends from across the decades. There were mechanized peep shows, strings to pull, animations, films and the great array of equipment from FF’s analogue roots in cine and sound through to digital, all still working and whirring away; things you could wear, as well as twice daily inflations of the famous Blue Woman from 1985.

Exhibitions, Sculptures & Creations

“The Forkbeard Theatre of Animation” exhibitions large and small travelled to Museums, Art Galleries and Art Centres across the UK and abroad.

These two films, one at the V&A’s Theatre Museum, the other at The South Bank Centre give you a flavour of the live experience.

“Architects of Fantasy” two years at the V&A’s Theatre Museum, Covent Garden, London 1999 to 2001. 300,000 visitors.
“A glorious, image-juggling, myth-bending feast for eyes and brain”

The EVENING STANDARD

“Forkbeard: Theatre of Animation” at The Royal Festival Hall London (2012-13)

Perhaps the most spectacular large scale sculpture is Forkbeard’s Penny Saunders’ “Restless Temple”, the temple that sways in the wind at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens near Gulval, Penzance in Cornwall, UK.
Live link here »

Or visit the website for a full history of its making here »

“”Get ready to gawp as they broaden your brain and exercise your grin all at the same time”

TERRY GILLIAM

Sculptures and Exhibitions

Forkbeard have made numerous permanent exhibits and interactive installations for Museums, Gardens, Nature Reserves and Visitor Centres, many of which which are still active. They range from sculptures, mechanical gadgets, vignettes, and boxes with miniature animated worlds you can peer into.

“The Paranoids” Huddersfield Museum & Art Gallery, 2009