Bridgeman Arts

Two giant puppets inspired by an unexpected connection between Scottish tartan and Caribbean culture are set to take to the streets of Glasgow as the Merchant City Festival returns bigger than ever this summer.

Created by Glasgow artist Noel Bridgeman, the five-metre-tall characters will make their debut during the festival's Opening Day of Dance on July 24.

While the fabric's origins are rooted in colonial trade routes linking Scotland, India and the Caribbean, it later became an important part of Caribbean cultural identity and remains widely worn during festivals, celebrations and traditional performances today. Variations of the Wob Dwiyet remain part of the national dress of countries including Dominica and Saint Lucia.

For Noel, who was born in Glasgow to Dominican and Barbadian parents, the commission offered an opportunity to celebrate his heritage while exploring the historical connections between Scotland's tartans and the use of Madras fabrics throughout the Caribbean.

Noel spent almost five months creating the characters alongside creative partner Jackie MacDonald, using modern materials and techniques to build highly detailed puppets designed to interact with audiences as they move through the festival.

Every stripe and line of the giant puppets' Madras costumes was recreated entirely by hand and scaled up from traditional Dominican fabric patterns. The puppets were constructed from mixed materials in Bridgeman Arts' Glasgow studio, while performer costumes were designed in collaboration with local clothing producer Tar10 Threads, Jackie MacDonald.

The giant puppets are based on traditional Miss Wob Dwiyet figures and will be joined by costumed roller skaters and street performers as part of a specially commissioned opening day spectacle.

The troupe represents a community stepping proudly into the public eye, dressed in their finest attire and sharing their story through performance.