Wood horse sculpture by The Father of Modern Automata, Sam Smith, turns up on eBay

Sam Smith is often cited as a predecessor and inspiration for many of today's top automaton-makers. While not an automaton-maker as we might define it now, his sculptures had a wonderful toy-like quality. In his book, Automata and Mechanical Toys, Rodney Peppé singles out Sam Smith as a seminal figure in the emerging field of contemporary automata. He even refers to Smith as "the father of modern automata". This illustrious title is bolstered by Smith's own art and the fact that he personally encouraged artists Frank Nelson and Peter Markey to pursue automaton-making.

One of his pieces is currently for sale on eBay. It's the first time I've seen one for sale.

From the eBay description:

The piece is titled FLORIO and is a unicorn Miniature pull toy , as you can see its carved and painted wood and it retains its paper label for Sam Smith , this is a genuine product , And as I said above is very rare.

Here is the eBay listing for this Sam Smith mechanical wooden horse toy sculpture.

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Frank Nelson, Artist and Automaton Maker (1930 - 2012)

It is with great sadness that we note the passing this month of Frank Nelson, one of the great makers of contemporary automata. I won't pretend that I knew him. Of course, I knew of his work and have always recognized it as some of the finest. Those who knew him have described him as a genius, who was inspirational, funny, and kind.

Like a few other luminaries in the field of automata-making, he was inspired by artist Sam Smith, who encouraged Nelson to try his hand and moving works and to enter them into exhibitions. Nelson, in turn, has inspired another generation of automata makers with his wit, fine carvings, and exquisite use of paint.

Frank Nelson's web site features a nice biography of his life as an artist. The passage below is taken from there.

Frank Nelson was born in Blackpool in 1930 and attended Blackpool Art School during the 1940s. He then spent some years in motor and aircraft design, becoming self-employed in 1960 and undertaking a range of model-making projects and design works for architects, museums film and theatre.

Frank Nelson started to carve and create automata in the early 1970's and for over 35 years he concentrated exclusively on automata with his own distinct figurative style using carved and painted wood. Over the years he has exhibited in most major galleries and art centres and acted as guest lecturer in a number of Universities, including the John Makepeace School for craftsmen in wood at Parnham House in Dorset. Many of his original automata are in public collections but of the many private commissions - he is proudest of the 'Barnum' automata commissioned by the actor Michael Crawford and based on the stage musical.

Nelson once described his piece 'The Tamer' (1975) as "the best idea I have ever had." The Tamer cracks his whip twice, but the big cat shakes its head from side to side, refusing to perform. On the third crack of the whip, the animal finally does the trick. The surprise comes in the form of a role reversal with the tiger putting his head into the Tamer's mouth.

Many of us who love automata own Frank Nelson a debt directly or indirectly. A man known for being generous with his time and knowledge, it is good to know that Frank Nelson's works will endure and his influence will live on.

Here is the official web site of Frank Nelson where you can see the paintings, drawings, portrait sculpture, and automata produced by this remarkable artist.

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Profile of artist Sam Smith, the father of modern automata

Here is a remarkable film courtesy of automata enthusiast Sergio Pinese. The film profiles British artist Sam Smith in the year 1976. While perhaps not an automaton-maker strictly speaking, Smith's work had a distinctly toy-like quality to it. Many of the figures are articulated and some pieces were in fact animated.

In his book, Automata and Mechanical Toys, Rodney Peppé singles out Alexander Calder, Jean Tinguely, and Sam Smith as seminal figures in the emerging field of contemporary automata. He even refers to Smith as "the father of modern automata". This illustrious title is bolstered by Smith's own art and the fact that he personally encouraged artists Frank Nelson and Peter Markey to pursue automata-making. We are lucky to have such a splendid glimpse at the man, his words, and his work in this film.

Read more about Sam Smith and the start of contemporary automata in the first chapter of Automata and Mechanical Toys.

[ Thank you Sergio! ]

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Article on the Exhibit Celebrating Paul Spooner

The eminent automaton artist, Paul Spooner, will be honored in an exhibit featuring his work and the work of dozens of other automaton makers. This is sure to be an amazing exhibit.

They will also be devoting a portion of the space to honor Sam Smith (1908 - 1983), a sculptor whose work inspired Paul Spooner, Peter Markey, Frank Nelson, and many others to become automaton makers.

The exhibit will be at The First Gallery in Southampton.

Here is a link to the article on the exhibit to honor Paul Spooner's 60th Birthday. Here is a link to the image gallery of automata to be shown in the exhibit.

Found via Spiel und Kunst mit Mechanik

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