Oliver Hymans - STUDIO DAYS IN LONDON

A DAY WITH TACITURNLI®

Oliver Hymans He/Him @buddyollie

Oliver Hymans is a puppet maker in the truest sense of the word. He carves, stitches, and paints with his own hands, turning a block of wood into a “living” being that can open its mouth and speak. He is the resident puppet-maker at London’s Little Angel Theatre, and his studio is tucked away in a quiet corner of Angel, London, filled with tools and half-finished faces. One afternoon, we stepped inside to look at the puppets he was making and to hear about his creative ideas, as well as his everyday life. And it was in that very studio that we saw what he looked like wearing Taciturnli.

Oliver Hymans Q&A for Taciturnli

T: What does a typical day in your studio look like?

O: There’s not really a typical day in the studio since my team and I work on such a broad range of projects but it might include - designing and overseeing the fabrication of various puppets for theatre shows, films, events and more; training others/apprentices in traditional puppet making techniques; participating in meetings to help run the theatre where I work; planning the next project!

T: What kind of puppet are you working on right now?

O: Does this project mean something special to you? I’ve actually just completed a puppet for a brand new show called Coven opening at the Kiln Theatre. It’s a puppet of a little girl called Jenet and she’s quite ghostly as it’s a musical about the Witch Hunt Trials in the north of England in the 1600s - a true story as well! It’s going to be a great show hopefully.

T: Of all the puppets you’ve made, which one are you most proud of and what’s its name?

O: Wow, I’ve made so many puppets over the past 15 years, it’s hard to pick one. I guess I’m most proud of the puppets I made for a show at Tate Modern - London’s top modern art gallery. It was a series of puppets that I made inspired by the Greek mythology of Daedalus and his mechanical wooden sculptures. It’s was amazing to bring some of my work to such an iconic space.

T: How would you describe your personal style? Do you think what you wear affects how you create?

O: I definitely lean on garments which are hard wearing and will last for a long term. I’m not really into fast fashion. Tonally, I like warm autumnal colours. In the studio though you won’t find me in my best clothing as it gets messy!

T: How does Taciturnli feel to wear? Would you wear it while making puppets?

O: The clothing feels comfortable but well made and durable. I’d definitely wear these garments if I was having a client meeting or giving a presentation as they give off the vibe of a craftsman.

T: Do you think clothing and handmade art share something in common, or speak to each other in any way?

O: Definitely. We live in a world where AI is coming for people’s jobs and it’s so easy for people to copy or plagiarise other people’s work. As makers, of any craft, there’s a human element to what we are doing - especially when it’s been handmade.

T: What’s your favourite Puppet show?

O: I struggle to share favourites of any genre as variety is the spice of life (cliche sorry!). But I grew up in the 80s so seeing films like Labyrinth and Little Shop of Horrors were hugely influential and probably why I love making puppets.

T: What’s your go-to lunch when you’re deep in a day of making?

O: Left overs! Or anything quick as I often don’t have time to make anything.

T: When was the last time you thought, “I’m really lucky I get to do this”?

O: Everyday!

T: If you weren’t a puppet maker, what do you think you’d be doing instead?

O: I’d be creating something - you can’t keep an artist from creating.