Willard Wigan MBE

Born in June 1957 in Birmingham, Willard Wigan began his artistic life at a tender age, creating art of such minute proportions that it virtually could not be seen with the naked eye.

“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. That’s how my career as a micro-sculptor began.”

Willard’s micro-sculptures are now so minute that they are only visible through a microscope. Each piece commonly sits within the eye of a needle, or on a pin head. The personal sacrifices involved in creating such wondrous, yet scarcely believable pieces are inconceivable to most. Willard enters a meditative state in which his heartbeat is slowed, allowing him to reduce hand tremors and sculpt between pulse beats. Even the reverberation caused by outside traffic can affect Willard’s work. Consequently, he often works through the night when there is minimal disruption.

Willard’s artwork has been described by many as “the eighth wonder of the world”. Such an accolade resulted in him being honoured by HM. Queen Elizabeth II with an MBE for his services to art, which was presented by HRH. Prince Charles in July 2007. The audiences that attend Wilards exhibitions are the most diverse of any living artist, with his exhibitions selling out around the world.

Such scarcely available pieces have attracted their own demand within certain circles. Owners of Willard’s work now including 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 HRH Queen Elizabeth II in tribute to her celebration of her Diamond Jubilee.