Jikke Madelief Sara Lesterhuis

I love to make things move. In my work, I breathe life into the lifeless, transforming ordinary objects into characters that feel, think, and connect. My process is driven by a deep curiosity—an eagerness to step into the unknown and explore uncharted territories.

Puppetry and animation are all about transformation. They allow us to infuse materials with life, personality, and purpose. Puppets exist in a realm between reality and imagination. They are familiar yet otherworldly, adept at tackling delicate topics in a way that feels both safe and powerful.

What fascinates me most about puppets is their ability to transcend identity. Unlike human actors, puppets are blank slates, shaped by the stories they tell. Animation expands on this idea, crafting entire worlds where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and where characters defy the laws of reality.

There is a connection between these mediums and the playfulness of childhood. As kids, we breathed life into sticks and rocks with nothing but our imagination. Puppetry and animation rekindle that sense of wonder, inviting us to see the world and all things in it anew. Yet, they also carry a hint of melancholy—a gentle reminder of life's fleeting nature.

Through my work, I aim to draw people into these imaginative realms. Whether through the subtle movement of a puppet or the magical world of animation, I hope to create moments that remind us of our innate capacity to connect— with one another and with everyday objects like a piece of cloth, a lump of wood, or a stick.