LEE WHITEHEAD

I was born in the UK on 14th Feb 1968. My career started with an electrical apprenticeship with a local contracting company and my full time career is still that of a maintenance electrician. As a personal venture / past time I always enjoyed creative projects.

When I was in my twenties I visited an automata museum in YORK, then one at covent gardens, called the cabaret mechanical theatre. It was an amazing experience to see and be inspired by many talented artists creating automata. At this time in my life with work and family commitments I did not get the time I would have liked to give this a go even though I had purchased many books plus VHS instructional videos at that time!.

If I were to pick a favourite it would be Keith newstead. His course explained everything in a simplified way and his automatons were outstanding.

During the covid period when I had turned 50 I was laid off work for three weeks and it was during this time that my interest was reignited once again after finding an online automata magazine publication. I had a 3D printer plus had learned an easy 3D modelling software application. My first automata involved a made up character that I called Hector who developed after a creative period 3D modelling on the computer. Thought it looked quirky so went with it to develop this character into an automata display. The magazine editor kindly offered to publish my article and since then I have completed three projects.

Keith Newstead is a renowned British automata artist who has dedicated his life to creating fascinating and intricate mechanical sculptures. Born in 1956, Newstead began his career as a mechanical engineer before turning his attention to automata art in the early 1980s.

Keith’s creations are a perfect blend of mechanical engineering, art, and storytelling. His whimsical and often humorous sculptures depict a wide range of subjects, from animals and insects to historical figures and mythical creatures. Each piece is meticulously crafted and designed to delight and engage viewers, with intricate mechanisms that bring the sculptures to life.

Newstead’s work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world. He has won numerous awards and accolades for his creations, including the prestigious British Craft Councils’ “Selected Maker” award in 2008.

Despite his success, Newstead remains committed to his craft and continues to create new and innovative automata sculptures from his workshop in Falmouth, Cornwall. He is a passionate advocate for the art of automata and regularly holds workshops and talks to share his expertise and inspire others.

Overall, Keith Newstead’s unique blend of engineering and art has made him one of the most celebrated and beloved automata artists of our time, and his legacy is sure to endure for generations to come.

Sadly Keith passed away in 2020.

Mad News 2019

Matt Smith is a renowned automata artist based in the United Kingdom, and is the founder along with Paul Spooner of The Fourteen Balls Toy Co. He is well-known for his intricate and whimsical automata creations that feature complex mechanical movements and intricate designs.

Matt’s passion for automata began at a young age, after pursuing his interest in mechanical engineering and sculpture, he established The Fourteen Balls Toy Co in 1986, with the aim of creating unique and innovative automata that showcase the magic of movement and mechanics.

Since then, Matt has gained international recognition for his work and has exhibited his pieces at various art galleries and museums around the world. His creations range from playful animals to intricate machines that depict scenes from everyday life, and are made using a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and plastic.

In addition to his artistic work, Matt is also involved in teaching and promoting the art of automata-making. He has conducted workshops and talks at various educational institutions and museums, sharing his knowledge and expertise with aspiring artists and enthusiasts.

Overall, Matt Smith’s work has made a significant contribution to the world of automata and continues to inspire and captivate audiences with his imaginative and intricate creations.

Fourteen Balls Automata

Mad Museum Picture Gallery

Lisa Slater is a British artist who has gained recognition for her mesmerising automata sculptures. Born in the UK, Slater grew up with a passion for creating. However, her interest in mechanics and movement led her to explore the world of automata, and she has been creating these whimsical sculptures ever since.

Lisa’s work is characterised by intricate mechanical movements that are set into motion by the viewer, creating a unique interactive experience. Her automata range from simple designs to complex pieces that incorporate multiple movements and intricate mechanisms. Lisa’s sculptures often feature a whimsical and playful theme, incorporating animals, birds, and other natural elements.

Lisa’s art has been exhibited in numerous galleries and exhibitions across the UK and internationally, and she has received critical acclaim for her unique style and creative approach. Her work has also been featured in various publications, including The Guardian and Crafts magazine.

Aside from her work as an artist, Lisa is also a teacher and has held workshops and classes to share her passion for automata and mechanics with others. Her dedication to teaching and sharing her knowledge has helped to inspire a new generation of automata artists.

Overall, Lisa Slater’s work is a unique blend of art, mechanics, and storytelling, creating a truly magical and enchanting experience for viewers.

Lisa’s Website 

Mad Museum Picture Gallery

 

Established in 1990 The Victorian Model Workshop designs and builds animatronic figures, automatons, stage props, puppets and mechanical displays for commercial customers and private collectors.

We are one of only a handful of workshops in the country which opens its’ doors to the public – so if you’d like to see our work, feel free to drop in and say hi.

We are based in the lovely Ferrers centre for arts and crafts, in Staunton Harold.

This splendid courtyard building of brick and slate was built as stabling for the fifth Earl Ferrers between 1760 and 1780. Today, it’s transformed and become home to over 15 different organisations, including us!

We are just next door to the Staunton Stables Tearooms, and we are open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am – 5pm (but we close earlier at 4pm on Sundays).

Victorian Model Workshop
The Ferrers Centre/Melbourne Rd
Ashby-de-la-Zouch
LE65 1RU
England

Most people’s career paths tend to be a series of “zigs and zags” as opposed to a straight line and Alan Westby’s is no different. From early training as a sculptor, to designing exhibits for children’s museums to running a major aviation museum, Alan has always looked to new challenges.

As with many artists, Alan has always been fascinated by what makes things work. “Automata are a natural fit for me. I love the challenge of animating a whimsical scene, trying to figure out what mechanically has to go on below the deck to make everything go!”

Alan’s current work reflects an interest he has with early science fiction, specifically the robot and rocket imagery. While frightening when it was originally made, today it is viewed as nostalgic and humorous. “These automata are fun reflections of life, and how our perceptions change over time.”

Jean Pierre Galopin was born in 1956 in Brittany, France. Since he was young, Jean Pierre has been captivated by putting different elements together, computer engineering, electronics and construction sets.

His highly amusing beautifully crafted pieces of art are conceived in his workshop. This hideaway is chock-a-block full of bits of machinery, electronic parts, wood and metal workings, computers, cables of all colours and stacks of books going right up to the ceiling. “It is a bit disorganized and chaotic but it is my paradise. Here I give life to my ideas” said Jean Pierre Galopin.

Jean is the co-author of a World Patent for washing machines and his creations have been referenced by well known and respected automata artists such the famous American inventor Dug North and Mechanical Lizard. “I want to write poetry in 3D, I find it funny!

Carlos was born in Colombia in 1963. The Visual Arts have always captured his imagination and over many years he has been especially drawn to Folk and Tribal Arts from all over the world.

Carlos is a self-taught artist and whilst struggling to survive in London he found his own ways of expressing himself through painting, drawing and making things. In the late nineties he began making and selling his first automata, eventually enabling him to concentrate on creating new pieces full-time.

Many of the ideas for his new works have evolved and been taken from his own personal life experience of living in a foreign country and in his home country where a civil war rages on relatively un noticed by the outside world. His vibrant work is colourful and full of emotion. With the help and encouragement of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre he has quickly gained international success.

His work is in private collections and museums in several countries.

My pieces are made predominantly from wood. Partly because it is a beautiful material to work with but also because there is a considerable challenge in making complex mechanisms and pieces out of a natural material. Most of my automata have complicated mechanisms which took months of design and experimentation to develop. I retain the first example of each piece as part of my personal collection and for reference purposes and I have a limited production of repeats which are available to order.

To help others start in automata making, a fascinating and diverting hobby, I also sell plans which can be used as a base for a variety of subjects. I exhibited at a Maker Fair in 2011 and discovered the opportunities that are opened up by the use of sensors and micro-controllers. The attraction of independent interactive pieces was also driven home after 2 days of turning cranks! I have extended the aesthetic of my automata making into animatronics, still using wood wherever possible but with the addition of electronics to bring the pieces to life and enable them to interact with their audience.

This interest has developed into the Rodni project which introduces school pupils from 9 to 14 years old to the world of micro controllers and software coding. I supply materials for schools to develop their own Rodni project and also lead workshops in schools. The aim is, in a hands-on way, to widen the horizons of pupils to the opportunities that are available to them in the increasingly important world of information technology. I exhibited this project at the UK Maker Faire 2013 in Newcastle.

Laura is an Argentinean automata and kinetic Artist, who grew up in Berlin (Germany). Born into a family of visual artists, her relationship with Art comes since childhood. Back in Argentina she studied Drama and stage design. To create automata is for Laura the perfect combination of both Arts and her own language and self expression.

Keeping mechanisms simple, Laura achieved effective movements and scenes bursting of poetry and emotion. Laura’s “Dreams of Sea” piece of automata was made especially to be exhibited at the MAD Museum; it is inspired by a trip she made to Germany and England, meaning the Boat as Life itself, the sea as the emotions, in accompaniment of a golden fish as a Lucky charm.

Awards and Special Mentions
2015 Special Mention: “To the promised land” Kinetic Sculpture, 52. Annual Exhibition Artist of Entre Rios , Museum for Fine Arts Dr. E. Pedro Martinez, Parana E.R. Argentina
2014 Second Award: “The price of the Dispute” Kinetic Sculpture, 51. Annual Exhibition Artist of Entre Rios , Museum for Fine Arts Dr. E. Pedro Martinez, Parana E.R. Argentine. Property of the museum, Cultural heritage of Entre Rios.
2013 Special Mention : “Against all odds” Kinetic Sculpture, 50. Annual Exhibition Artist of Entre Rios , Museum for Fine Arts Dr. E. Pedro Martinez, Parana E.R. Argentina.
2007 Special Mention: “Rule of three” AAGA Award for fine Arts, Fedrerico Klemm Foundation , Buenos Aires, Argentina.