PUPPET RAMPAGE

Mixed media, 2025

PUPPET RAMPAGE is a reimagining of the Punch and Judy show as a pro wrestling match. The felted fists of Zorb, an alien in a turtleneck, and Soots, a tortured clown, meet in the ring as they battle for the elusive ART World Championship belt. The piece was created by Ben Gore after he came across a neglected puppet show booth, at a local auction house, and a job lot of unwanted puppets online. He then sanded, sculpted, and painted to re-envision this staple of British seaside entertainment.

A comic is planned to tell the backstories of the characters featured including: Zorb the Alien, Soots the Clown, Gladys the Goth Granny, D-00MKIND the Robot, Alligeezer, Dana Red the Promoter, and Orak the Cyclops.

The piece was exhibited in 2025 at imagined matter in Folkestone - as part of the Folkestone Fringe and OpenArtFolke. I also illustrated some conceptual sports trading cards for the wrestlers that can be seen here.