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Lisa Slater

Automata

Animal

I first made  automata for my 3D Design degree show in Manchester  in the 80’s, making a collection of mechanical mules. Fascinated that they were not a horse or a donkey but something in between. Long ears and a stocky form.

Working with wet silver birch , using natural woods bark  to bring  character to the piece . Working  with a draw knife to shape the timber. The mechanics were simple with rotating tales and a head movement. 

early workshop photo at Manchester with a wooden automata in the back ground.

My work often features horses and although I tend to no longer work with bark on timber. I enjoy carving a horse either for a commissioned piece or for a one off. 

French Stable  was a recent work where the creation of the building was as important as the characters inside. 

Silver Birch Mule

Two Mules

wooden automata stable

Stable

The large Stable was made for a public exhibitions. Based on a horse who lives in Old Town that backed into a shed if the weather was bad. The piebald was too nice to be hidden so when the piece was returned I freed him from the box and put him on wheels where he quickly sold and rolled off to live with a customer in Spain.

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Copyright Lisa Slater 2025