Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Pinocchio within the eye of a needle

The well-known British artist Willard Wigan creates amazing masterpieces that can be seen only with a microscope, as their size can be measured only by thousandths of a millimeter (one micron). Under a microscope Wigan sculpts in the eye of a needle or on a pin head, using sand grains, sugar crystals, diamond powder, etc. When working, Wigan enters a meditative state in which his heartbeat is slowed, allowing him to reduce any hand tremors. Wigan holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest hand-made sculpture called “Golden Journey” – a motorcycle placed inside a hollowed-out piece of Wigan’s own beard stubble. It is smaller than a human blood cell. Willard’s artwork has been described by many as “the eighth wonder of the world.” Such accolade resulted in him being honored by HM Queen Elizabeth II with an MBE for his services to the arts.

The ‘Micro Art’ exhibition will be held in the renovated Sarona quarter, where Willard Wigan will display a true microcosm of tiny fairytale heroes, including Cinderella and her evil sisters, Little Red Riding Hood, Pinocchio, as well as other works, such as the planet Earth, a bird and the Taj Mahal. All the miniatures are placed in the eye of a needle or on a pin head, so they can be seen only with a microscope.

On average, it takes Wigan about 2-3 months to complete one sculpture. To carve his microscopic figures he uses surgical blades and hand-made tools. To reduce any hand tremors Wigan enters a meditative state in which his heartbeat is slowed, allowing him to work between heartbeats. Even the reverberation caused by outside traffic can affect his work.

Wigan holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest hand-made sculpture called “Golden Journey” – a motorcycle placed inside a hollowed-out piece of Wigan’s own beard stubble. The bike it is made up of 12 individual specks of gold and measures just 3 microns, which is smaller than a human blood cell.

Born in Birmingham, UK, Willard Wigan began his artistic life at a tender age of five. “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,” says Wigan. His creations became smaller and smaller, and slowly, the child who felt invisible, became a famous master of micro-sculpture. Wigan created a form of art which places the greatest importance on the smallest details. Only a close look through the microscope lens reveals a magical world of wonders and gentle beauty.

Willard Wigan’s artwork has been described by many as “the eighth wonder of the world,” and his creations sell for hundreds of thousands of Euros. Owners of Willard’s work now include 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 HM Queen Elizabeth II in tribute to her celebration of her Diamond Jubilee. For services to the arts, the sculptor was awarded an MBE.

‘Micro Art’ is a unique exhibition, because it is suitable for visitors of all ages, as it is very surprising, and makes a lasting impression. The Sarona ART Gallery is open to artists and creators wishing to display their works in the Sarona quarter. The Gallery is home to leading artists and curators in various fields of art, and it is located in the heart of the Sarona Park, in a beautiful renovated Templer building, ideal for exhibition of any kind.

The ‘Micro Art’ exhibition will be held from December 1 to January 31 at the Sarona ART Gallery,
Sarona Park, Tel Aviv, 12 Elazar st., building 105, 2nd floor
(with access for the disabled).

Opening times for the general public:
Thursday: 10:00-20:00
Friday: 10:00-14:00
Saturday: 10:00-20:00
Sunday – Wednesday: the exhibition is open only for groups of 20 people or more, by prior arrangement via the exhibition website.

Entrance fee (4 years and older):
Adult ticket: 30 NIS.
Children's ticket: 20 NIS.
DigiTel Card/ soldier / student / senior citizen: 20 NIS.