There's Art Underneath The Microscope

Just when you thought you seen it all, you come across something as extraordinary as this. We've all seen forms of artwork that are truly breathtaking. It could of been a painting, sculpture or landscape. Or maybe it was an abstract that you just had to add to your home collection. Whatever it was that intrigued you, if your a true art enthusiast, this will certainly grab your attention. I'm talking about the creation of microscopic art.

Willard Wigan is the man behind microscopic art. He is a sculptor from Birmingham England that creates tiny works of art placed inside the eye of a needle or atop the head of a pin. As a child with undiagnosed dyslexia, he was ridiculed and made fun of by teachers and classmates for his inability to learn how to read. He attributes his early drive to sculpt to his need to escape the negative attention. Willard's ongoing quest is to create even smaller pieces that can only be viewed through a microscope. In fact, most of his work can measure as little as 0.0002 inches. That's amazing!

Some of his famous pieces include:

• Michelangelo's David
• Lloyd's Building in London
• The Obama family
• and the astronaut Buzz Aldrin

Obama Family

Some of my personal favorites include Bart and Homer Simpson, Betty Boop and Big Mommas House to name a few. So your probably asking yourself, how in the world does he create these sculptures? That's a very good question. Let's take a look, shall we?




First off...

• It takes him on average about 8 hours to complete one sculpture which is physically challenging.

• He's learned to control his breathing and nervous system to ensure he does not make any sudden movement and destroy the work.

• He enters into a meditative state, slowing his heartbeat allowing him to work between heartbeats

• Wigan uses surgical blades or hand made tools to carve. (some are made out of sharpened microscopic sliver of Tungsten) made by attaching a shard of diamond to a pin.

• Nylon, grains of sand, dust fibres, gold and strands of spiderwebs are used to create these sculpt

• Wigan often uses the hair of a deceased housefly to paint his creations

To own one of these works of art of course is going to cost you a pretty penny. They can range anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 Euros (that's about 7,000 to 14,000 Usd's).  If you have the means to invest in these sculptures and are looking to collect something truly unique, you just might want to consider looking in to them. You could be alongside avid collectors such as Sir Elton John, Mike Tyson, Lord Bath and Simon Cowell. Oh yeah, and they also include their own custom display cases! And to think that the dust you clean off of your coffee table, or the sand you vacuum up from your living room floor can actually be used for artistic means. Truly Amazing.

Check Out Some of His Works

Click to View Official Website