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You are here: Home / News / Keith Newstead – RIP

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Keith Newstead – RIP

Keith Newstead in 2018

We are very sad to announce that Keith Newstead passed away this weekend (Nov. 7/8) at the age of 64. Keith was a dear friend and exceptionally talented maker. He will be very sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

Update, 14 December: an obituary in The Guardian.

Photo credit: Steve Tanner

(on November 9, 2020 by Sarah) 14 Comments

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Comments

  1. Mick Benoit says

    November 9, 2020 at 9:07 pm

    Keith. A great artist. A huge loss. Big love.

    Reply
  2. Manabu Hayakawa says

    November 11, 2020 at 3:28 am

    I am very surprised and disappointed to hear his news. I think he was one of the representative automata artist of this era. We were proud to introduce his work in Japan. R.I.P

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      November 11, 2020 at 8:28 am

      Dear Manabu-san, Thank you for your kind words. Keith really enjoyed his trip to Japan in the 1990’s. All the best, Sarah

      Reply
  3. Diarmuid Gavin says

    November 11, 2020 at 2:41 pm

    Keith was an amazingly inventive creator of magic. I worked with him on various projects over the past 5 years. A trip to his Falmouth workshop was always an adventure. It’s hard to believe that he has passed….but the magic and joy he created lives on. Condolences to his family and friends.

    Diarmuid Gavin

    Reply
  4. Paul Spooner says

    November 11, 2020 at 4:26 pm

    I’m still a bit wobbly from hearing this news. I’d got used to Keith’s being just down the road setting a dreadful example of brilliance and productivity. No one else had a chance of keeping up. There’s no real consolation but I’m very glad he managed to make his Gormenghast; if it’s not a masterpiece I don’t know what is.

    Reply
  5. Tatyana says

    November 12, 2020 at 12:37 am

    So sad…. We love his works so much…

    Reply
  6. Spencer Thursfield says

    November 13, 2020 at 11:17 am

    This is such sad news.
    I knew Keith back in the Covent Garden days – and have only just started *making* again – taking great inspiration from many of his pieces… My condolences to his family and friends.

    Reply
  7. Janine Gove says

    November 17, 2020 at 7:10 pm

    Keith was one of my heroes, I’ve adored his work from afar and conversed a little with him online. His pieces are so full of character. I was so incredibly sad to learn he’s gone, but I hope more will get to know him though his wonderful work.

    Reply
  8. Oscaro Grajales says

    November 27, 2020 at 11:10 pm

    Oh terrible noticia. Ha volado como tantos de sus autómata. Siempre ame su trabajo, lleno de sorpresas y de vida. Descanse en paz. Abrazos para sus seres queridos.

    Reply
  9. Nigel Williams says

    November 30, 2020 at 5:31 pm

    I’m gutted. Keith has been my hero and inspiration for decades – in fact, for my (and his) whole life. And now I will never meet him. He was an awesome genius. One thing that comes out of this is that I am now inspired to work even harder to make better work – not that my stuff will *ever* come remotely close to his. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

    Reply
  10. Mark Wallace says

    December 11, 2020 at 12:24 pm

    I purchased two pieces of Keith’s work in March (Dead Mans Gultch and Pegasus) and visited him in his magnificent Studio in August. He was a real gentleman, understated and a brilliant Automata maker. He is widely regarded as the best in his field and his death is a huge loss to the community. My thoughts go out to his family and friends, he leaves a massive legacy of talented and creative work that will live on for ever.

    Reply
  11. Palomia Bravo says

    December 16, 2020 at 2:03 pm

    I have no words for this sad loss. We have lost a teacher and a great artist. My condolences to his family and friends.

    Reply
  12. ANTONIO CAVALCANTE says

    December 26, 2020 at 12:29 pm

    Descanse em paz Keith. Que vc tenha a felicidade de ver, agora, face a face a Beleza e a Alegria em Pessoa: Jesus.
    Meus pêsames para a Família.

    Reply
  13. Marcus says

    January 7, 2021 at 5:27 pm

    Obituary in The Independent:

    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/keith-newstead-dead-automata-artist-obituary-b1783879.html

    Reply
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We are very sad to announce that Keith Newstead passed away this weekend (Nov. 7/8) at the age of 64. Keith was a dear friend and exceptionally talented maker. He will be very sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. Photo credit: Steve Tanner

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Cabaret Mechanical Theatre is a collection of contemporary automata founded in 1982. It has permanent and temporary exhibitions all over the world. We aim to entertain and inspire visitors, makers and collectors.

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