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Telephone: Email: neilhardy@aol.com |
Fabulous Animals is an eclectic collection of automata created by Neil Hardy just outside London, England. Neil's inspired humour has created "Evolutionary Blunders", a series that explains how and when quirks developed in the genetic blueprint of some of our dearest and closest friends in this planet. Using wood, metal, paint, fleece and other valuable materials, Neil illustrates the epic side of Nature while making powerful philosophical statements few would ever attempt. If you appreciate high-concept art, and you enjoy receiving compliments on your good taste, you must own an original 'Fab' by Neil Hardy! |
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Browse my range of Automata here! Order Form |
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NEWS! A few Exhibitions and Fairs that Neil’s work will be on display. 2 June - 25 June. Gallery Schomberg, Summer Exhibition. A great gallery combining new makers and ancient ones like me. 2 July – 6 August 2005. Hitchcock's in Bath automata exhibition. Loosely based on the title Full Fathom Five, a watery theme. See more details of this automata friendly shop here Neil has been asked to make a new piece for the Karakuri Contest taking place at the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi, Japan. Karakuri is the Japanese craft of automata but also including traditional dolls and puppets as well as more modern moving gadgets and machines. As yet Neil is hopelessly behind on making something special for the event. Check it out here for more details. |
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SATISFIED CUSTOMERS! "Goodness - your animals are more than fabulous! They are STUPENDOUS! They arrived safe and sound... they are beyond my wildest dreams - so funny, so cute, so creative. I absolutely adore them!" Susie Paplow, New York "Just wanted to thank you for your automata. Got them yesterday . They are most wonderful! Really great and full of humour as well. I am very pleased with them." Brad Norris, Santa Fe CA "Everything looks and works great. I'm having a carpenter coming over next week to build a Neil Hardy Shrine for the proper display. Please stay and touch and let me know when a new animal is unearthed." Harry Shuman, Ossingham NY "It is a delightful piece and I am very pleased to have it. My wife now insists we have to make a special place to display it - like maybe a pedestal. I own quite a few pieces of automata - Spooner, Markey, New stead, etc., - and am happy to now add a Hardy to the collection. Thanks again." Michael Croft, Tuscon AZ "We appreciate your work, it is a
very original look on life and we are all very happy to have your
work here. you last automatas are very rich and they give a
brilliant atmosphere of art and intelligence all around. we are all
very happy to have and play with them. Our visitors too." Guido
Accascina, Italy |
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Meet Neil Hardy In
his own words...
Until 1992, I had been an Architect for thirteen years, working in practices in London, Cambridge and Edinburgh. During this period, I became more interested in mechanical models and how they worked. As a child, I had always been intrigued by the works and drawings of Heath Robinson and Emmett, and I began to make simple models based on their particular style and humour. In 1988, I came across the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre in Covent Garden, London, where some of the finest Automata are on exhibition. The humour, craftsmanship and mechanical design of the automata fascinated and intrigued me. Noticing that the public was actually prepared to buy some of the pieces, it began to dawn on me that it might be possible to earn a living from this craft. In November 1992, I decided to pursue this hobby full time and started in earnest designing and creating new Automata. I became a member of the British Toymakers Guild in 1993. Since that time, I have found a number of craft shops and galleries who have sold my work on a regular basis throughout the UK. In 1994/5, I began to receive letters from abroad enquiring about the pieces and they are now being sold in a number of Galleries from Paris to Singapore as well as in America. The work has also been exhibited at:
I was also proud to receive the Malsbury Memorial Cup for Automata in 1994, and the Longleat Cup for most popular work at the Fair voted for by the children in 1996 - both presented to be by the British Toymakers Guild. Browse my range of Automata here!
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