Willard Wigan is probably one of the most space-efficient sculptors in the world. He doesn't waste his time with giant slabs of granite and marble in a massive studio. Using a microscope, the 52-year-old from Birmingham, England, constructs artwork -- like this teeny, yet still incredible, Hulk -- no bigger than a grain of sugar.

Wigan started his career as a child making hats and shoes for his pet ants. From there he has gone on to a fascinating career bridging art and science in a way we can't get enough of. Wigan's art pieces take weeks to build. Too much effort in front of a microscope? Given that his work has sold at auction for as much as $150,000, we think that's time well spent.

Wigan is currently on tour in the U.S., which may give us all a chance to peer through the eye of a needle in a whole new way.

Microscopic Sculptures

    Little Miss Muffet

    www.willard-wigan.com

    Mad Hatter's Tea Party (April 2004) - According to the Wall Street Journal "the figure of Alice is just one-third the size of the period at the end of this sentence." This is the second Mad Hatter's Tea Party sculpture created by Willard. After spending seven (7) weeks painstakingly creating the first, Willard accidentally inhaled Alice. The piece took ten (10) weeks to complete.

    www.willard-wigan.com


    Betty Boop (May 2007) - The legs, the hair, the eyes and even the garnet are vividly brought to life microscopically. Betty herself is made from cable tie, whilst the earrings and the bracelet are made from gold. Willard took seven (7) weeks to capture the essence of this much loved cartoon character.

    www.willard-wigan.com

    Gold Galleon (January 2007) - Wishing to create an engineering wonder, the galleon has been sculptured in 22-carat gold and placed on the head of a real diamond. A truly phenomenal and intricate piece, this work took Willard eight (8) weeks to complete.

    www.willard-wigan.com

    Diddy (May 2008) - Willard took six (6) weeks to create one of USA's performing icons. He used nylon to create Diddy, white gold to make his watch and ring stand out. The piece is finished in 'bling' style by placing a real diamond under the eye of the needle.

    www.willard-wigan.com

    Barack Obama and Family – Presidential Victory (January 2009) - In celebration of the inauguration of the 44th American President, Willard wanted to create a work of art as powerful as the very fact of America's first Black president. Forty years after the Reverend Martin Luther King proclaimed his dream, Willard worked for seven weeks to sculpt President Obama and his family in the eye of a needle. Willard hand made the actual needle.

    www.willard-wigan.com

    Incredible Hulk - Willard brilliantly replicates an angry metamorphosed hulk, turned green and breaking from the shackles of his caged area which in this instance is the eye of a needle. Made from nylon, the hulk took Willard six weeks to complete.

    www.willard-wigan.com

    Henry VIII and his Six Wives (September 1997) - The most photographed of Willard's pieces. The infamous King of England, King Henry VIII, stands as master in between his six wives, each oblivious to their fate. This is the second King Henry created by Willard; the first sprung out of the eye of the needle when incorrectly place in situ in its microscopic display case! Willard says comically it was the moment the wives obtained their revenge.

    www.willard-wigan.com

    Statute of Liberty (May 2006) - This is Willard's second Statute of Liberty. The first was made from wood within the eye of a needle, andbt the request of the Metropolitan City of New York, xhibited within the lobby to the iconic landmark itsellard is only the fifth artist in history to have his work exhibited in the most recognizable icon of the United States of America. The second Statute of Liberty took Willard nine (9) weeks to complete.

    www.willard-wigan.com

    Longhorn Bull
    (May 2009)     - This exceptional breed is beautifully miniaturized. The piercing eyes stare directly into the direction of the viewer. The sculpture of the symbolic Texas State Large Mammal is made from cable tie, with horns from material fiber from Willard's own shirt. Standing on a diamond, the piece took seven (7) weeks to complete.

    www.willard-wigan.com