Automata Workshop with Fi Henshall
One of Fi’s automata in Falmouth Art Gallery
Its been 10 years since I started using my metal working skills to make automata. To mark the occasion I decided to see if I could add to my knowledge of mechanics and make some more elaborate pieces. With the support of a skills grant from Cultivator Cornwall I was given the exciting opportunity to take part in a one-to-one workshop with Fi Henshall. Fi is an incredible maker whose vivid imagination and vision is matched only by her impressive making skills. The workshop was an amazing experience that taught me so much more about the intricacies of mechanical movement and will definitely help me reach my goal.
Fi has years of experience creating hand crafted automata. I first saw her work in Falmouth Art Gallery, a fabulous gallery well worth a visit – have a browse on their website here. It has an amazing collection of pieces made by automata artists from the Falmouth area (I was honoured to show one of my pieces in their exhibition A Cabaret of Mechanical Movement back in 2019).
Fi has a gift for storytelling which may come from the fact that she grew up in a bookshop. Her workshop was full of the most amazing creations, all with their own intricate narratives. In fact, her entire workshop is like an automaton. It is sited in the belly of a barge which floats on the Penryn River. At high tide there is a Heath Robinson style method of entry to the barge. There are steep steps down a primrose covered bank (there’s a handy rope for stability!) after that there’s a short trip in a dinghy - also operated by rope, finally another scramble up a vertical wooden ladder – and voila! Fi’s incredible barge workshop!
From the outset, I knew I was in good hands. Once I’d been provided with a steaming cuppa Fi went over the basics of mechanical movement and how it relates to the creation of an automaton. She expanded my understanding of gears, cams, and linkages and showed me how to use them to create new movement in my automaton. We were able to swap and share our knowledge of metals. So important to get the right sort for the right job.
You might have spotted that I often include birds in my work. I was keen to figure out how to put the bird centre stage and get its wings to move. Fi suggested a couple of different methods to make this work. It was a tricky balance of anchoring supports in just the right place whilst also making them strong enough yet nimble enough to make the right movement. The pictures above show our initial maquettes using old tobacco tins, wood and wire. The final piece uses my trademark patinated copper and reclaimed hardwood. It’s now in the shop at Falmouth Art Gallery.
In the second part of the workshop, I was keen to trial a mechanism that could make two things happen at the same time. Doesn’t sound like too much of a demand but, blimey, its kept me scratching my head! I’m still working on a piece which has a boat bobbing on a moving sea that also features a swimming fish. I’ll save the process back for my next blog post – once I’ve made absolutely sure the mechanism runs smoothly.
Fi renewed my appreciation for the art of automata making. I learned many valuable skills and techniques that I can use to expand my range of automata. I left the studio feeling inspired and motivated to continue exploring the world of mechanisms.
If you have a love for mechanical devices and the patience to create something truly special you may like to know that Fi has a range of teaching options on her website. Click here for more info. I highly recommend taking part.
If you prefer to look and maybe even own your own automata then don’t forget to keep an eye on what’s available in my website shop.