I’m interested in the emotional response that anthropomorphic objects elicit, and in our desire to imagine life within them. My life-sized ‘people’ are the artistic output of playful musings on this idea, merging sculpture with puppetry and some robotics, with the intent of evoking a (pleasurable) sense of uncanny ‘presence’. Each sculpture intends to convey some character or personality, and to this end, my work is influenced by puppetry. Though the works are human sized, they function as puppets in that they are posable and can be used for performance, but they are also robotic in that they have some autonomous motion and some reactive motion. The sculptures are based on the human form because the human form is at once most uncanny and also most relatable. Relatability is an important aspect of my work, as I use my humanoid sculptures to create playful interactive experiences for viewers, experiences that hinge on the uncanny and on the illusion of presence.

Monster Jofre (2015) Arduino controlled sensors and servo motors, skeleton out of CNC milled Styrofoam, found clothing, fun fur. 5’ tall, human proportions This is a human-sized minimal robot, with articulation at the waist, arms and neck. A motor at the waist induces the chest to sway up and down in a breathing motion. When a viewer approaches, she turns her head towards them. This GIF documents her motions.

Suzana Jofre (2013) Mixed media, and 3d digital print. About 6 feet tall human proportions This is a human-sized marionette that has articulation at the elbows, wrists, shoulders, and neck.

Joana Jofre (2014) Mixed media, and 3d digital print. About 5.5 feet tall when standing This is a human-sized marionette that has articulation at the elbows, wrists, knees, hips, shoulders, and neck.

Monster Jofre (2015) Arduino controlled sensors and servo motors, skeleton out of CNC milled Styrofoam, found clothing, fun fur. 5’ tall, human proportions This is a human-sized minimal robot, with articulation at the waist, arms and neck. A motor at the waist induces the chest to sway up and down in a breathing motion. When a viewer approaches, she turns her head towards them.

Suzana in Action (2015) Mixed media, found clothing, face is a 3d digital print, Arduino controled motors and sensors 6’ tall, human proportions This is a human-sized marionette that has articulation at the wrists, elbows, knees, hips, shoulders, and neck. This GIF documents her motions Here her smoking motion is automated, and her head turns when a sensor is triggered to face a passing viewer.

Joana hanging out at the Gladstone cafe in Toronto (2014)

Suzana having a smoke (2014)

They Like to Drink Tea (2013) Installation featuring Ana, Ricardo, and Rosa (Ceramics, wood, nuts and bolts, rags, used clothes, found furniture); Approximately 5'H x 6'D x 8'W

Ricardo Jofre (2013) Ceramics, wood, nuts and bolts, rags, used clothes. About 5 feet when standing. This is a human-sized marionette that has articulation at the elbows, knees, hips, shoulders, and neck. He can be placed in various postures and is displayed here in a seated position.

Ana Jofre (2013) Ceramics, wood, nuts and bolts, rags, used clothes. About 5 feet when standing. This is a human-sized marionette that has articulation at the elbows, knees, hips, shoulders, and neck. She can be placed in various postures and is displayed here in a standing position.

Rosa Jofre (2013) Ceramics, wood, nuts and bolts, rags, used clothes. About 5 feet when standing. This is a human-sized marionette that has articulation at the elbows, knees, hips, shoulders, and neck. She can be placed in various postures and is displayed here in a seated position.

They Like to Drink Tea (2013) Installation featuring Ana, Ricardo, and Rosa (Ceramics, wood, nuts and bolts, rags, used clothes, found furniture); Approximately 5'H x 6'D x 8'W

Swirly Blue and Patchy Galore (2012) Ceramics, sofa. Approximately 45”H 64”W 30”. These are two full-scale ceramic marionettes installed on a sofa. They can be positioned in various postures, as I constructed them with articulation at the elbows, knees, hips, shoulders and neck.

Coffee with Ceramic People (2012)

Cyborg Jofre (2012) Ceramics. About 5 feet when standing. This is a human-sized marionette that has articulation at the elbows, knees, hips, shoulders, and neck. She can be placed in various postures and is displayed here in a standing position.

Banana Jofre (2013) Paper Pulp and Mixed Media; About six feet tall when standing. This is a human-sized marionette that has articulation at the elbows, wrists, knees, hips, shoulders, and neck. She can be placed in various postures and is displayed here in a standing position.