YOU CRAFTY THING: MARVELLOUS MACHINES WITH MARTIN SMITH
Penhaligon’s asked artist Martin Smith to create five kinetic sculptures inspired by Penhaligon's collection of Potions & Remedies.
As perhaps Britain’s most esteemed fragrance house, Penhaligon’s can’t help but champion the artistry of Britain’s bright young things, especially those with unusual or eccentric crafts. Indeed, our latest foray into the world of British craftsmanship has seen us travel to West Yorkshire to meet artist Martin Smith, who makes metal sculptures on small and large scales. We asked Martin to create five unique kinetic machines that reflect the botanical benefits of our latest collection of fragrances, Potions & Remedies.
The Artist
Martin Smith can be called many things: artist, sculptor, machinist... put them all together and you have a one-of-a-kind inventor who creates all manner of marvellous machines. Based in Huddersfield, he shares a workshop with his daughter and receives commissions from around the globe. From six-foot metal sculptures of abstract trees to colourful clapping machines (hold for a round of applause), Martin's aim is to inject a spark of humour and happiness into his work – which we think he does rather well.
The Machines
Penhaligon's approached Martin to create five bespoke kinetic sculptures that represented the qualities of each of our Potions & Remedies fragrances: love, confidence, energy, bliss, and relaxation. Martin, who makes all the individual parts in his workshop from scratch, used a mixture of materials and custom elements to create each of the machines.
From spinning wooden heart that celebrates Liquid Love, to a hand-made miniature skateboard that pays homage to our daring scent, Eau the Audacity, each design balances design, mechanics and humour that is most perfectly Penhaligon's.
One can take a peek of Martin and his in his workshop here:
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