Sam Smith, who is widely seen as the grandfather of contemporary automata, has influenced generations of automata makers. His beautifully painted colourful ‘toys’ at first glance look playful and harmless, but on closer inspection, they often explore the darker side of human life.

Automata are moving mechanical sculptures brought to life by individual viewers who are invited to pull strings, wind cogs or press levers to animate the piece. These participatory artworks create a unique moment of trust between the artist and the viewer. Often Sam would leave notes to invite care and add details of the characters and their stories.