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30.1.13

Willard Wigan - Micro-sculptures






Born June 1957 in Birmingham, Willard Wigan began his artistic life at a tender age, creating art of such minute proportions that it virtually could not be seen with the naked eye.
“It began when I was five years old,” says Willard. “I started making houses for ants because I thought they needed somewhere to live. Then I made them shoes and hats. It was a fantasy world I escaped to. That’s how my career as a micro-sculptor began.”

Willard’s micro-sculptures are now so minute that they are only visible through a microscope. Each piece commonly sits within the eye of a needle, or on a pin head. The personal sacrifices involved in creating such wondrous, yet scarcely believable pieces are inconceivable to most. Willard enters a meditative state in which his heartbeat is slowed, allowing him to reduce hand tremors and sculpt between pulse beats. Even the reverberation caused by outside traffic can affect Willard’s work. Consequently, he often works through the night when there is minimal disruption.

Willard’s artwork has been described by many as “the eighth wonder of the world”. Such accolade resulted in him being honoured by HM. Queen Elizabeth II with an MBE for his services to art, which was presented by HRH. Prince Charles in July 2007.
The audiences that attend Wilards exhibitions are the most diverse of any living artist, with his exhibitions selling out around the world.

Such scarcely available pieces have attracted their own demand within certain circles. Owners of Willard’s work now including HRH. Prince Charles, Sir Elton John, Sir Philip Green, Lord Bath, Mike Tyson and Simon Cowell to name but a few.  Willard’s latest piece, the Coronation Crown was requested by HRH Queen Elizabeth II in tribute to her celebration to her Diamond Jubilee.

More recently, Willard has undertaken a vast amount of public and motivational speaking engagements for private, multi-conglomerate corporations and charitable organizations. It is little surprise why Willard’s life story is now attracting significant attention from the literary and film industries alike.

Art Meets Science

Willard, a completely self taught artist, has been the subject of many discussions among micro-surgeons, nano-technologists and universities worldwide. His work is considered both inspirational and ground breaking in artistic and scientific spheres.
Willard’s gift has been recognised by the world leading Technology, Entertainment, Design institute, (www.ted.com) where Willard was invited as guest speaker at the world conference in July 2009. Previous speakers have included former US President, Bill Clinton, former British Premier, Gordon Brown, Al Gore, Microsoft’s, Bill Gates and the late Apple figurehead, Steve Jobs.
More recently, Willard was invited to embark upon a collaboration with two of the finest watch makers in the world, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey - www.timeartgallerygf.com.  Together, the three artists set upon a journey to create the world’s most exclusive timepiece, Art Piece 1 is scheduled to be unveiled at the World International Watch Convention in January 2013.


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