Sculptures so small that they can fit into the eye of a needle – Willard Wigan is a British artist who creates sculptures so small that they can fit into the eye of a needle or on the head of a pin. Wigan’s works are not only incredibly tiny, but they are also incredibly detailed, requiring him to use specialized tools and a microscope to create his masterpieces.
Sculptures so small that they can fit into the eye of a needle
Wigan was born in Birmingham, England in 1957, and from an early age, he showed an interest in creating small-scale art. However, his learning difficulties made it difficult for him to pursue his passion for art in a traditional way. Instead, he developed his own unique method of creating art using minute objects such as grains of sand, pinheads, and even eyelashes.
Willard Wigan’s artistic career began in the 1960s, when he was just five years old. He was fascinated by ants and would make tiny houses and furniture for them using whatever materials he could find. As he grew older, Wigan’s interest in small-scale art continued, but he struggled in school and was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia and other learning difficulties.
Despite his difficulties, Wigan remained determined to pursue his passion for art. He began experimenting with different materials, including sand, dust, and even sugar, to create tiny sculptures. However, he found that his early attempts at creating small-scale art were often destroyed or lost because they were so small and delicate.
It wasn’t until he discovered a microscope that Wigan was able to truly perfect his craft. He began using the microscope to create sculptures that were smaller than a grain of sand, and eventually, he began making sculptures that could fit inside the eye of a needle. To create his tiny sculptures, Wigan uses a combination of specialized tools and his own hands, often working for hours at a time without taking a break.
Wigan’s sculptures are not only incredibly detailed and lifelike, but they also often convey a deeper message or meaning. For example, he has created a sculpture of a camel passing through the eye of a needle, a Biblical reference.
“Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Matthew 19:24
Matthew 19:24 NASB1995
Wigan’s sculptures are so small that they can only be viewed through a microscope, which is why he often works in the dead of night when he is less likely to be disturbed. The process of creating his art is incredibly intricate, and it requires an enormous amount of patience and attention to detail. Wigan often spends weeks, if not months, creating a single sculpture.
Some of Wigan’s most famous works include a sculpture of the Queen’s Coronation Crown, which is so small that it fits inside a human hair, and a replica of Michelangelo’s David, which is smaller than a grain of rice. Wigan’s art has been displayed in museums and galleries all over the world, and he has even been honored by the Queen for his contributions to the arts.
Wigan’s art is not only impressive because of its size and intricacy, but also because of the meaning behind it. He often creates sculptures that have a deeper message, such as a tiny figure of a homeless person sleeping on a bench, which he hopes will draw attention to the issue of homelessness.
Wigan has also set two Guinness World Records, the first for the world’s smallest sculpture of the Statue of Liberty in 2010 and for the Smallest Hand-made Sculpture in 2017.
In addition to his art, Wigan is also passionate about sharing his skills with others. He has worked with children with learning disabilities, teaching them how to create small-scale art as a way of boosting their confidence and self-esteem.
Learn more about the eye of a needle.
In conclusion, Willard Wigan is a truly unique and talented artist who has pushed the boundaries of what is possible with art. His miniature sculptures are not only impressive because of their size, but also because of the meaning behind them. His work is a reminder that art can take many different forms, and that creativity can be found in even the smallest of places.
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