Peg Doll, 'Captain Sharky'

This peg doll was made by 5 year old James Stevenson and is named Jackson 'Captain Sharky'. It is paired with another pirate called Captain Jack Sparrow from the film series Pirates of the Caribbean. Together they reflect the popularity and influence of these films in New Zealand.

The first film was produced in 2003 with a fourth in 2011. The idea for the films originated with the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Disneyland attraction which opened in 1967, the last Disney theme park attraction overseen by Walter Disney.

Pirates have been a major feature in the Stevenson household for many years. James' father was in the Merchant Navy and joked with the children about being a pirate, his older brother George wore a pirate outfit for about two years, refusing to remove his hat even in the heat of summer and when on holiday in Vanuatu. James has always been interested in creatures of the sea in particular sharks, this being the inspiration for the name Captain Sharky.

The dolls were entered in the 'Small Acorns' annual peg doll competition and is part of a group chosen to reflect the interests of New Zealand children in 2011. The peg dolls show the influence of a range of contemporary media and events including popular film and television characters, fashion, art, culture, media events, children's stories and imagined characters.