One of the most joyful and unforgettable moments of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games closing ceremony was the appearance of the 12 giant Kewpie dolls that twirled their way around Stadium Australia during the final celebration. Standing an incredible six metres tall, these extraordinary creations danced through the arena as the stadium erupted into a giant party. The dolls appeared during the famous “Love Is In The Air” segment while singer John Paul Young performed his classic song and hundreds of dancers filled the stadium floor. Their appearance perfectly captured the playful spirit of Australian culture and the carnival-like atmosphere of the ceremony.
The giant Kewpies were designed by stage designer Brian Thomson, who wanted to include a uniquely Australian theatrical reference. The dolls were partly inspired by the beloved Australian play Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, where Kewpie dolls are famously gifted as symbols of love and tradition. They would have liked to have 17 Dolls made but the budget only allowed for 12. The Olympic versions were carefully sculpted by James Colmer from polystyrene and cast in fibreglass, before being painted with glitter suspended in clear fibreglass resin. Their huge tulle skirts were specially constructed with internal supports so they could spin dramatically without catching on their wheeled bases. Each skirt required an enormous amount of fabric—more than a kilometre of tulle was used to create the dresses.
After the Olympic Games ended, the twelve giant Kewpie dolls were auctioned and eventually found homes across Australia. Some are preserved in museums such as the National Museum of Australia and the Powerhouse Museum, while others remain in private collections or occasionally appear at festivals and community events. Over the years they have become beloved pieces of Australian cultural history—giant reminders of the joy and creativity of the Sydney Olympics.
Today, I am incredibly proud to care for one of these remarkable dolls. Her name is Tulip, and she was the first of the giant Olympic Kewpies to be created. Tulip is currently being lovingly restored to her original colours so she can once again shine as she did in the Olympic stadium. Owning and restoring Tulip is a true honour, and it allows this beautiful piece of Australian Sideshow, Theatrical & Olympic history to continue bringing joy for many years to come.
Stay Tuned to see updates for Tulips restoration & when she makes her Show debut soon!
Watch The Closing ceremony here -
Skip to 1:30 to see the Kewpie's dancing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlOTGzPZvfw&t=5613s