Can you imagine two of America's most iconic statues, the Statue of Liberty and the Oscar in the eye of a needle? How about the cast of the Wizard of Oz; Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Lion, the Scarecrow, and even Toto inside a tiny needle with the Good Witch and the Bad Witch flying over them? It's not something you have to imagine, it's a reality created only by the talented Willard Wigan, micro sculptor. Many of these mini artworks created by Willard are virtually invisible to the naked eye, yet, when viewed through high power magnification, the effect on the viewer is truly mesmerizing.
"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 where my dyslexia didn't hold me back and my teachers couldn't criticize me. That's how my career as a micro-sculptor began."
Willard, who is completely self-taught, has baffled medical science and has been the subject of many discussions among micro-surgeons, nana-technologists and at universities worldwide. His work is both inspirational and ground breaking in both artistic and scientific spheres. Given the demands Willard places on his body and mind, it is unpredictable how long Willard's exceptional talents will last, but ultimately his unique and exclusive creations will outlive him for generations to come.
Willard's gift has been recognized by the world leading Technology, Entertainment, Design institute (www.ted.com) where Willard appeared as a guest speaker at the July 2009 world conference in Oxford, U.K. Previous speakers at the conference have included iconic world figures such as Bill Clinton and Al Gore.
Willard Wigan, MBE
Born in 1957 in Birmingham, Willard Wigan MBE began his artistic life at a tender age. Suffering from dyslexia and learning difficulties, he struggled at school, finding solace in creating art of such minute proportions that it virtually could not be seen with the naked eye.
For more information, visit www.willard-wigan.com and blog.ted.com/2009/08/hold_your_breat.php
Chicago Exhibit Dates: September 3 - October 2
Nicole Gallery
230 W, Huron
Chicago
(312) 787-7716
www.Nicolegallery.com
