Two New Exhibitions Just Landed at MAG&M, and They're Worth the Trip

If you've ever wandered along Manly's West Esplanade on a sunny Tuesday with nowhere to be, you already know that MAG&M has a way of pulling you in. This February, the gallery's got two good reasons to make it a destination rather than a detour.

From 20 February to 5 April 2026, Amber Boardman: The Puppet Show and Todd Fuller: Simple Love run side by side, two completely different worlds, both worth your time.

Ancient myths, AI, and a lot of handmade weirdness

Amber Boardman's The Puppet Show is the kind of exhibition that sounds like it shouldn't work on paper, oil paintings, hand-modelled vinyl, puppets, server stacks, and then completely does. She's turned the gallery into a playhouse that asks a genuinely interesting question: in an age of algorithms and AI, who's really pulling the strings?

The twist? Every single piece is handmade. No algorithms here. Just a seriously talented artist making the case for human creativity with her bare hands, and doing it very, very well.

Mayor Sue Heins put it well: "Amber Boardman delves into the intersection of myth and technology... it's wonderful to see our gallery celebrate such diverse, innovative approaches to art and storytelling."

If you're an artist yourself, there's also a one-on-one mentorship session with Boardman on Saturday 28 March, a pretty rare chance to get personalised feedback from someone operating at this level.

A love letter to the Northern Beaches, animated

Todd Fuller's Simple Love hits differently. Part of MAG&M's 2026 Mardi Gras program, it's a hand-drawn animation built around Northern Beaches local Adam George, narrated in his own words, set against the kind of backdrops we walk past every day: Palm Beach, Whale Beach, Turimetta.

It's about love in all its forms, romantic, family, community, and it's quietly, genuinely moving. Fuller layers memory into place in a way that makes the familiar feel new. If you've ever felt a weird swell of affection watching the sun go down at Turimetta, this one's for you.

On Saturday 7 March, Fuller joins Adam George and MAG&M curator Ben Rak for an afternoon conversation about the work, connection, and community. Worth clearing the calendar for.

And if animation's always been something you've wanted to try, Fuller's also running a hands-on workshop on Wednesday 1 April, two and a half hours to learn the craft from an award-winning artist. Not bad for a Wednesday night.

The details

Both exhibitions are free, open Tuesday to Sunday 10am–5pm, and run until 5 April 2026. The opening night is Friday 20 February, 6–8pm, with the exhibitions officially opened by Scott Elliot, Assistant Curator of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Whether you're making a day of it in Manly or just killing time before the ferry, MAG&M's earned a stop on the itinerary this summer. Go for the art. Stay for the harbour views.

Amber Boardman's project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.