Willard Wigan's Microscopic Sculptures: Art in a Human Blood Cell
Willard Wigan, an artist with autism and dyslexia, creates the world's smallest sculptures, visible only under a microscope. In 2017, he set a record with a kevlar fetus sculpture the size of a human blood cell, placed inside a hollowed-out section of his beard. Using unconventional tools like ceramic fragments, gold flakes, sand grains, hypodermic needles, diamond fragments, and human eyelashes, Wigan carves miniature masterpieces such as the Last Supper, Mount Rushmore, and the Moon landing on the eye of a needle. He controls his movements, pressure, and even heartbeat to avoid destroying his work. Wigan once accidentally inhaled one of his creations. His art conveys that small things matter and have the greatest impact.
Key facts
- Willard Wigan creates microscopic sculptures barely visible to the human eye.
- He has autism and dyslexia, which led him to discover his talent.
- In 2017, he created the smallest sculpture ever made: a kevlar fetus inside a hollowed-out beard section, the size of a human blood cell.
- He uses materials like ceramic fragments, gold flakes, sand grains, hypodermic needles, diamond fragments, and human eyelashes.
- He reproduces the Last Supper, Mount Rushmore, and the Moon landing on the eye of a needle.
- He controls his movements, pressure, and heartbeat to create his art.
- He once accidentally inhaled one of his sculptures.
- His work conveys that small things matter and have the greatest impact.
Entities
Artists
- Willard Wigan
Institutions
- Artribune
- Great Big Story