WildBrain’s Melissa Goodrich on bringing the Teletubbies into the world of fine art

Melissa, it’s great to connect. Before we dive into the House of Teletubbies Art Takeover, can you tell us a bit about your background?
Throughout my career I’ve had the privilege of working on many storied brands in the entertainment industry, from beloved children’s brands to iconic sports and live entertainment brands! I joined the awesome WildBrain team just over three years, focused on several of our iconic franchises – including our favourite colourful quartet, the Teletubbies!

For anyone new to the House of Teletubbies Art Takeover, can you talk us through the initiative?
WildBrain’s Teletubbies are officially entering their ‘Art Era’. This September we invited fans to embrace the colourful quartet in an entirely new way at our House of Teletubbies London: Art Takeover. 15 Bateman Street, Soho was transformed into a captivating celebration of creativity, nostalgia, and artistic expression with iconic characters –Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po – stepping into the world of fine art! The event sparked inspiration for a new generation of artists and reconnected fans of all ages with the joy and imagination of childhood.

“At each location, new artists and fresh interpretations will be added to the collection.”

The young and young-at-heart were able to get involved in workshops, interactive installations, Teletubbies-themed activities and even meet the Teletubbies themselves! With activities ranging from doodling on giant canvases to creating Teletubbies-inspired accessories, the event offered fans the chance to reconnect with their own childhood while experiencing the whimsical joy of the Teletubbies in a new and inspiring context.

What steered who you approached to create art for the London event? And will new artists be added as this travels?
We partnered with a host of internationally acclaimed and emerging artists, with the exhibition featuring a curated collection of Teletubbies-inspired artwork across a variety of mediums. Some of the incredible artists, illustrators and designers featured we’ve previously collaborated with – such as Christian Cowan, ONCH, Will Marsten and MurWalls. Others were new partners who were fans of the Teletubbies already, such as Austin Call and Ben Gore – or those who we felt could bring the brand to life through art in a new and fresh way, like Stella Lin.

The next stop on the tour sees the Teletubbies head to Art Basel in Miami this month, followed by more cities still to be announced. At each location, new artists and fresh interpretations will be added to the collection, ensuring a constantly evolving experience that keeps fans engaged and inspired.

“This tour is about more than just nostalgia.”

It’s striking how varied the pieces are. What is it about these characters that you feel lends itself to this broad scope of artistic expression?
For the past 27 years, the Teletubbies have continued to engage new audiences, reminding us of the universal desire to connect, play and explore. The exhibition aimed to celebrate this timeless connection by merging the worlds of art and heritage, reminding us that the creativity we held as children never fades – it merely evolves.

The Teletubbies are the perfect muses for reinvention through art, and this multi-sensory experience invited fans to step into a world where whimsical characters meet bold artistic vision – a place where our favourite childhood friends come to life in ways we’ve never imagined.

This tour is about more than just nostalgia; it’s about bridging the gap between generations, using art as a medium to celebrate wonder and discovery. As the Teletubbies evolve alongside modern culture, their universal message of friendship, curiosity and play remains timeless. Whether you grew up watching the show or have only recently discovered these icons, these art gallery events serve as a reminder of the boundless creativity of childhood that’s still within us all.

Can you talk us through some pieces that have resonated with you so far?
There were so many hugely talented artists with such different and unique takes on the Teletubbies that it would be impossible to choose a favourite! In fact, we have commissioned additional artwork from multiple artists that were showcased in London – each of them truly brought so much joy to their interpretations of the Teletubbies and brought to life the essence of the brand, which is all about wonder and discovery! This tour and the focus on art is meant to inspire and celebrate our fandom. We’ve loved seeing the growth in user generated content both at our activations and on social media, from make-up and fashion to art and design.

Last question! What fuels your creativity?
Working on brands like the Teletubbies that have wonder and discovery at their heart inspires so much creativity! Seeing our fandom’s response to the Teletubbies, in both the digital and physical space, drives us to build moments that bring constant joy to kids and ‘kidults’, whether through content, across our social platforms or through in-person activations.