GARDINER — Monkitree will host “In and Out of the Shadows” with paintings and shadow puppetry by Bridget McAlonan of Topsham through Nov. 19 at 263 Water St.

There will be an opening reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30.

Working in both painting and shadow puppetry, McAlonan delves into the concepts of confinement, longing, belonging and what happens when we aren’t like everyone else. Do we retreat into the shadows? Or leap out, putting forward all that makes us unique?

The shadow puppetry is black and white with muted color. McAlonan has created delicate puppets from detritus.

“This piece of junk is not junk. By making meaning out of junk, we elevate the profane to something more,” she said.

In contrast, her paintings are a riot of color. The figures in her paintings are the stuff of nightmares — bones, teeth and eyes all figure prominently.

In addition to framed puppets, she will be showing video of puppet shows with new surprises through the length of the show.