Paintbrush Bob is a doll made for EMMA’s child audience, who travels with the children and the guide in EMMA’s exhibitions.
The doll gives an opportunity for children to learn about art, the stories behind art and the role of the artist throughout history in an interactive way. With the doll’s assistance, drama and storytelling are being applied during guided tours for children. The telling of stories allows children to share their thoughts of an artwork seen in the museum more freely.
Bob the doll gives a child-sized face to a large museum, a familiar figure, who can be met every time visiting the museum. The children can touch and carry the doll during guided tours, unlike the works of art. Sometimes it is easier to whisper one’s thoughts to a doll, than to a guide. The prime objective is to find new joyful ways for children to look and experience art together with the help of the doll.
EMMA’s artist doll is custom made by doll designer Sirpa Ala-Louko. Her priority in doll making is to create appealing characters. I have reached my goal, when I succeed in giving a doll a “soul”, says the doll creator.