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Summary:: This puppet did not form part of the Greek Shadow Puppet Theatre, but belongs to another form of puppet theatre, the technique of which Dimitri Katsoulis is not familiar. Dimitri bought the puppet in Monastiraki (where there are many second hand stores in Athens). Dimitri does not know when, where or who made it. Dimitri Katsoulis migrated to Australia in 1974 to escape a regime that repressed Greek artists. He had trained in Greece with theatre and film companies as an actor and technician. A master of the traditional Greek shadow puppet theatre, his performances explored contemporary issues such as the isolation of migrant women and children. Unable to obtain funding and support, he returned to Greece in 1991, leaving his entire collection to the people of Victoria. It includes 32 shadow puppets and around 170 props, set backdrops and technical tools and stage equipment. Dimitri has since returned to Melbourne and assists the Museum to continue to document this rich art form within both local and international contexts.

Information supplied by Greek Shadow Puppet Theatre master Dimitri Katsoulis, 2007.
Description:: A hand puppet representing a man with a bright pink face, one blind eye, black hair and a black moustache, of which one end is upturned. He wears a red, pointed hat with a yellow tassel and a short jacket of very worn red velvet and pink brocade over an off-white cotton garment. The jacket has been extensively repaired.

Discipline:	History
Dimensions:	37.00 cm (Width), 73.00 cm (Length)

Tagged with:	cultural maintenance, greek communities, greek immigration, working life
Themes this item is part of:	Greek Shadow Puppet Theatre - Dimitri Katsoulis, Greek Shadow Puppet Theatre - Lighting Technology, Greek Shadow Puppet Theatre - History, Cultural Diversity Collection, Migration Collection, Working Life & Trades Collection
Primary Classification:	CULTURAL IDENTITY
Secondary Classification:	Ethnicity - Creative Practice
Tertiary Classification:	puppetry
Place & Date Made:	Greece, 1940-1960
Date Purchased:	Mr Dimitri Katsoulis, Greece
Place & Date Used:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1940-1960
References:	http://www.cv.vic.gov.au/#; Malkin, Michael, R. Traditional and Folk Puppets of the World, A.S. Barnes & Co., Inc., N.J., 1977; Simmen, Rene, The World of Puppets, Elsevier, Phaidon, London, 1975; Hogarth, Ann & Bussell, Jan, Fanfare for Puppets!, David & Charles Publishers Ltd, USA, 1985; Yayannos, A & Ar and Dingli, J. The World of Karaghiozis, 1976