Keith Newstead

https://www.keithnewsteadautomata.com

One of the greatest contemporary automata artists, Keith Newstead (1956–2020), studied graphic design in London. By 1991, his interest in automata had grown so much that he decided to dedicate himself to it full-time. “I try to create automata that strike a balance between the figurative element and the mechanical work. I like to keep the mechanisms visible because even the simplest mechanism can be extraordinarily elegant when in motion,” he said. Keith appeared on numerous television programs, from the United States to Japan, and worked with schools and educational institutions to promote the art of automata making. Since 1992, his work has been exhibited worldwide in numerous venues, including the South Bank Center in London, the Exploratorium, the Eden Project, the Vente Museum in Tokyo, The Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne, and Exampla '96 in Munich and Copenhagen. He is also the creator of the automaton featured in Giuseppe Tornatore's film "The Last Offer." Recognized as the UK’s most famous and popular automata maker, Keith sold over two million paper automata kits in Britain alone. For the Modern Automata Museum (MAM), Keith created the automaton "Dictator" for the "Against the Idea of War" exhibition and an acrobat for the "Circus" exhibition. In collaboration with the MAM, he also participated in the Mantua Literature Festival, creating a series of automata made from recycled plastic materials.