Institute of Art Design + Technology
Dún Laoghaire
On Show 2020
Louise Murphy

While researching the Salem witch trials I came across the story of Elizabeth Demdike. Elizabeth was charged with witch craft and during her trial she spoke of her familiar Tibbs. Tibbs was a shape shifting imp that could transform into many different animals.He appeared to Elizabeth in the form of a cat and a hare. His true form was that of a humanoid looking imp. For my project I decided to sculpt Tibbs in the halfway point of his transformation. I referenced both human anatomy and that of a hairless cat while also adding some gargoyle like features, (the ears and the nose). His head operates as a hand puppet, his arms operate on rods and his tail simply moves using fishing wire. I wanted the puppet to be charming yet scary. I hope I achieved this!