A Quaint Wonderland for All the Senses in New Zealand

A World of Whimsy and Wonder

Step into the gallery, and it’s as though you’ve entered a mad inventor’s workshop. Blair’s creations—made from found objects like springs, shells, coins, scraps of metal toys—fill every nook and cranny. Wind-up contraptions whirr to life, water-powered gizmos clatter and spin, and gravity-fed mechanisms work their quiet magic. Each piece, no matter how small, invites you to engage, laugh, and marvel at its ingenuity.

Blair’s journey as a “tinkerer extraordinaire” began more than two decades ago when he first experimented with creating automata—mechanical devices that bring objects to life through movement. Today, his work has evolved into a collection of hundreds, if not thousands, of ingenious creations. While many of us would be ready to throw away such random objects, Blair has a knack for transforming whatever he can find into something extraordinary.

The Lost Gypsy Gallery is divided into two main attractions. The first is the house bus itself, a hippyish bus-turned-gallery where Blair’s smaller creations are housed. Inside, you’ll find a kaleidoscope of interactive gadgets. Flick a switch, turn a crank, or press a button, and watch as Blair’s automata come to life. A “Train of Thought” circles its track, a manually operated cassette player whirs into action, and a wind-up hand clapper does exactly what its name suggests.

Beyond the bus lies a larger world of wonder. The courtyard and surrounding grounds feature even more of Blair’s creations, including larger installations housed in The Winding Thoughts Theatre. This outdoor space elevates Blair’s playful artistry to a grander scale, blending wit, ingenuity, and a sense of the absurd. Tin tentacles emerge from bushes, a piano’s keys trigger unexpected reactions, and an “illogical rain checker” invites visitors to ponder its purpose. Everywhere you look, there’s something to engage with, something to make you laugh, think, or simply marvel.

A Love Story at the Lost Gypsy

Blair doesn’t run this wonderland alone. His partner, Sandra van der Sommen, brings her own artistic flair to the Lost Gypsy. A portrait artist and animal painter from the Netherlands, Sandra met Blair by chance just before Christmas in 2018. Backpacking through New Zealand, she visited the gallery on the recommendation of Blair’s ex-girlfriend (a story that could only add to the gallery’s lore!). A quick chat turned into a love story, with Sandra returning months later to settle in Papatowai.

Sandra now works from her “Little Blue Studio,” creating stunning portraits and lending her talents to the gallery. An avid bird enthusiast, her love for all things avian is reflected in her art and in the couple’s shared life with their vibrant green parrot, Pepino. Pepino, whose name means “cucumber” in Spanish, is as much a part of the gallery as its gadgets. With a bit of luck, visitors might spot this feathery resident perched among the treasures, adding another layer of charm to the Lost Gypsy experience.