Ant Automata (c.1998) – Rachel Higgins

40 Objects for 40 Years

A simple green and white graphic image of an artwork by Rachel Higgins, which is a perspex box containing a metal ant connected to two cranks which make it move.

Marching Ant (c. 1998) by Rachel Higgins
Made for our Devious Devices School’s exhibition

In the late 90s we organised a large touring exhibition of automata called Devious Devices. Does anyone remember visiting it? It was created in collaboration with Croydon Clocktower and Ralph Steadman and Terry Gilliam!

Alongside the main exhibition we hired a small exhibition of automata exhibition out to schools, but when it wasn’t on tour, this little creature lived in our office. People loved to turn it, so it often needed mending.

It’s been a while since we’ve taken exhibitions out to schools and the piece had been packed away into our store. When we were packing up for our move, after the flood, we found it again! It now has pride of place on our window ledge. It reminds us of the unique skill of makers and the importance of creating opportunities for young people to experience craft.

Nominated by: Marketing Manager, Lisa.

To celebrate Craftspace’s 40th Anniversary, we commissioned the artist Stewart Francis Easton to create an artwork which would explore the story of Craftspace through 40 objects. Stewart created a series of four beautiful graphic quilts.



Where Next

A simple blue and white graphic image of a dress. It has frills and patterns.

Claire’s Coming Out Dress (2000) by Grayson Perry

Explore 40 Objects for 40 Years.

A simple purple and white graphic image of a bird in flight.

Swallow Brooch

Explore 40 Objects for 40 Years.

A simple green and white graphic image of a green toolbox.

Exhibition Toolbag

Explore 40 Objects for 40 Years.

A simple blue and white graphic image of the Custard Factory building in Digbeth, Birmingham.

The Custard Factory

Explore 40 Objects for 40 Years.



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