Chicago Puppet Artist Creates Lunar New Year Inspired Show

WDCB’s Gary Zidek talks to puppet artist Tom Lee about his passion for puppetry and his Lunar New Year-inspired show, THE GREAT ZODIAC ANIMAL RACE.

WDCB's Gary Zidek catches up with Chicago-based puppet artist Tom Lee.

“Sometimes our idea of what puppetry is or who it’s for, can be limited. Of course, the Muppets and ventriloquists, those are all part of the world, but puppetry is really a world phenomenon, it’s a form of art and performance that transcends culture.” - Puppet artist Tom Lee talking about perceptions of puppetry.

Chicago-based puppet artist Tom Lee

Millions of people all over the world celebrated the Lunar New Year earlier this month. One of the most popular traditions associated with the holiday involves the symbolic animals that represent each year . There are 12 animals that make up the Chinese zodiac, this new year is the Year of the Ox.

 A Chicago-based puppet artist has developed a show that explores the fable behind the zodiac animals associated with the Lunar New Year. Tom Lee created THE GREAT ZODIAC ANIMAL RACE last year through a commission from the Art Institute. This week, he’s presenting a new version of the show through Eighth Blackbird’s virtual performing art series, THE CHICAGO ARTISTS WORKSHOP.

Gary talked to the co-founders of Eighth Blackbird back in October about the CAW, click here to listen.

You can find more information about Lee’s upcoming performance (Friday 2/26) of THE GREAT ZODIAC ANIMAL RACE by clicking here.