Fi Henshall

Fi Henshall took a sculpture degree at Falmouth College of Arts graduating in 2004. She taught herself to carve marionettes, but found the idea of figures which could be made to perform and act out a scene by anyone even more appealing, and made her first automaton in 2009.

She now makes automata from wood, metal, broken machinery, old tins and odd objects, working largely in recycled materials. She borrows techniques from any discipline she can pick up (carving, soldering, engineering, painting, modelling, jewellery making and more) to illustrate stories about strange characters and creatures. Fi is currently working on pieces for Cabaret Mechanical Theatre's new touring exhibition.

Help preserve our future

We are part of a registered charity and rely on the support of generous donors, members and legacies to help us deliver world-class education in conservation, design and the creative arts and maintain our award-winning gardens.

Find out how to support us