Artist Profile - Dr Willard Wigan MBE (micro-sculptor)
photograph of Zeta Wigan (mother of artist, Dr Willard Wigan)
from Miniature Masterpieces - a temporary art exhibition at Wollaton Hall, Nottingham
Miniature Masterpieces is a temporary, free art exhibition at Wollaton Hall, Nottingham of world-renowed artist in micro-sculpture, Dr Willard Wigan (the artist).
The framed photograph above is a snapshot of wall mounted, visitor information that one views within the exhibition space. The woman pictured is Zeta, the artist's mother:
'Encourage people with positivity. You never know where it will take them' Zeta Wigan
One immediately senses from this photo showcasing that Zeta was a supportive and inspirational figure for Wigan. Through a video presentation (which includes an interview with Wigan) we learn that this was, indeed, the truth of the matter.
Both Zeta and Wigan's father were Jamaican immigrants, who, like many who came from the Carribean after the war settled in the the West Midlands. Wigan was born in Birmingham (1957) and grew up with the family in a tough neighbourhood. Wigan's informative years were challenging and demoralising and he was subjected to ridicule from a cruel teacher who used him as an example to the class of academic failure, (Wigan's dyslexia would not be diagnosed until much later in his adult life).
One day, so overwhelmed, Wigan ran away from school and never returned. With his confidence shattered he would find solace and interest in the garden at home. He became fascinated with insects, ants and all things tiny. He would surround himself with micro-nature and he would build little constructions, i.e. a house for the ants.
Zeta was impressed with her sons making skills and encouraged him to continue creating miniature artworks, she would marvel in his skills every time, but would urge him to 'go smaller' and so began Wigan's micro-art journey.
Image: Willard Wigan, micro-sculptor. From the exhibition ‘Miniature Masterpieces’
Miniature Masterpieces features twenty, tiny sculptures with the detailing being invisible to the naked eye. Framed in the eyes of thin sewing needles; created using an eyelash as the tool, each work is part of the artist's ‘Disappearing World’ collection– which displays micro sculptured pieces never before seen on display with each of the work made visible through microscope viewing.This is showcased alongside Wollaton Hall’s World of Wonder Transformation
Both Zeta and Wigan's father were Jamaican immigrants, who, like many who came from the Carribean after the war settled in the the West Midlands. Wigan was born in Birmingham (1957) and grew up with the family in a tough neighbourhood. Wigan's informative years were challenging and demoralising and he was subjected to ridicule from a cruel teacher who used him as an example to the class of academic failure, (Wigan's dyslexia would not be diagnosed until much later in his adult life).
One day, so overwhelmed, Wigan ran away from school and never returned. With his confidence shattered he would find solace and interest in the garden at home. He became fascinated with insects, ants and all things tiny. He would surround himself with micro-nature and he would build little constructions, i.e. a house for the ants.
Zeta was impressed with her sons making skills and encouraged him to continue creating miniature artworks, she would marvel in his skills every time, but would urge him to 'go smaller' and so began Wigan's micro-art journey.
Miniature Masterpieces features twenty, tiny sculptures with the detailing being invisible to the naked eye. Framed in the eyes of thin sewing needles; created using an eyelash as the tool, each work is part of the artist's ‘Disappearing World’ collection– which displays micro sculptured pieces never before seen on display with each of the work made visible through microscope viewing.This is showcased alongside Wollaton Hall’s World of Wonder Transformation
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| A microscopic sculpture of Robin Hood through the eye of a needle by artist Willard Wigan |
References
Wollaton Hall
Smithsonian Magazine online
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