Get creative with us in Shadow Play, the Bank of America Art Lab installation by Boston artist Lily Xie. Step into the dark and explore form, transformation, and light through shadow puppets. Who could you be in the shadows? What would you take with you into the darkness?

Shadow puppetry, or shadow play, has roots in several Asian cultures and has spread and shape-shifted into many contemporary forms and practices across the world. Through this diasporic art form, Xie opens the portal for thinking about what is possible when we step into the dark.

Dive into an immersive hands-on art-making experience and add your artwork to a growing display of visitor reflections and creations!

Art Lab activities are free with museum admission and are drop-in on a first-come-first-serve basis — space is limited.

About the Artist

Lily Xie (she/they) is a Chinese-American artist and educator whose socially-engaged work explores desire, memory, and self-actualization for communities at the margins. In collaboration with local residents and grassroots organizers, she facilitates creative projects with a focus on public space, housing, and racial justice. The work they create together often takes the form of animation, video, print media, and installation.

Free Admission for Youth

Youth 18 and under always receive FREE museum admission. The ICA is committed to providing access to the art and artists of our time—and we do this with the incredible support of our community. Explore the +1 Membership: A free ICA membership program for youth 0-18.

Questions? Reach us at familyprograms@icaboston.org.