Step into a joyful world where imagination meets engineering — and where the beautifully pointless becomes strangely profound.
Contraptions & Connections is a playful, thought-provoking exhibition that celebrates the delight of invention through quirky machines, moving sculptures, and the unmistakable charm of the absurd. From the beloved drawings of William Heath Robinson, the original ‘Gadget King’, to contemporary kinetic artists, automata makers and machine builders, the exhibition brings together a wonderfully eccentric mix of creators who turn the everyday into the extraordinary.
Heath Robinson’s humorous illustrations of absurdly complex machines built from string, spoons, kettles and corkscrews are known and loved around the world. His drawings, first published before the First World War, have since inspired generations of inventors, artists and engineers with their wit, warmth and technical fantasy.
But the fascination with automata and mechanical play stretches back thousands of years. From ancient Egyptian tombs to the intricate clockwork marvels of the 14th century, through to the lifelike machines of 18th-century Europe — such as Jaquet-Droz’s writing automata and Joseph Merlin’s famous Silver Swan — the desire to bring objects to life through motion has always captured the human imagination. By the 20th century, this evolved into seaside automata, tin toys, and laughing sailors — creations full of mechanical mischief and nostalgic charm.
In Contraptions & Connections, today’s artists pick up that tradition with a modern twist — using recycled materials, found objects, and clever engineering to make machines that do everything from drawing pictures to playing music or making you laugh.
Exhibition highlights include:
A musical machine made from piano and sewing machine parts by Fi Henshall
Recycled plastic fish that ‘swim’ in mid-air by Tim Lewis
A chalkboard that draws by itself by Jim Bond
Fantastical football automatons drawn by Michael Landy, inspired by Jean Tinguely
A rocking chair that doubles as an electric chair — darkly funny and unforgettable by Nancy Fouts
A steam-powered locomotive made entirely from bric-a-brac by Tim Ellis, inspired by Heath Robinson’s railway contraptions
Delightful kinetic creations by some of the most celebrated automata artists working today: Tim Hunkin, Keith Newstead, Carlos Zapata, and Paul Spooner
Who is it for?
This is a show for the curious and creative of all ages — whether you’re a young inventor, an artist who loves to tinker, a family looking for a fun day out, or simply someone who enjoys beautifully useless machines that make you smile.
Featured Artists:
William Heath Robinson, Tim Hunkin, Fi Henshall, Tim Lewis, Paul Spooner, Carlos Zapata, Jim Bond, Tim Ellis, Michael Landy, Nancy Fouts (1945–2019), Keith Newstead (1956–2020)
Contraptions & Connections invites visitors of all ages to celebrate the joy of mechanical imagination — the beautiful collision of art, science, storytelling and silliness.
The Museum is open 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Thursday through Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays except Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.