Graham Short
Micro Artist
Artist Biography
Graham Short, a Birmingham-based micro-artist, has been pushing the limits of human skill and endurance since 1980. Recognised worldwide for producing some of the smallest and most intricate engravings ever created, his work has made headlines, inspired documentaries, and earned him invitations to prestigious exhibitions and even Buckingham Palace.
Short’s journey began with a traditional engraving apprenticeship in the 1960s, before he went on to supply engraved stationery for royalty, government, and leading institutions. His fascination with microscopic art became a lifelong pursuit, famously realised in works such as The Lord’s Prayer engraved onto the head of a pin, the phrase ‘Nothing is Impossible’ cut into the edge of a razor blade, and a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II engraved to mark her Jubilee. His dedication to perfection drives him to extraordinary extremes, working only at midnight to avoid vibration, lowering his heart rate below 30 beats per minute, and engraving between heartbeats under a microscope.
Exploring themes of faith, literature, and human resilience, Short has produced works inspired by Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Russian Orthodox traditions, always approaching each project with deep respect and painstaking attention. His art has been exhibited internationally, with collectors including private buyers, museums, and cultural institutions.
Beyond his technical mastery, Short is admired for his humility, wit, and confessional honesty about the obsession that drives him. In 2016, his engraved Jane Austen £5 notes, secretly placed into circulation, caused a global treasure hunt. In 2024, his contribution to art and charity was recognised by King Charles III at a Royal Garden Party. Today, he is regarded as one of the greatest living engravers, constantly striving to surprise, inspire, and remind the world that nothing is truly impossible.
Graham’s Featured Art
For Graham, the hardest part of his work isn’t the engraving itself but finding an idea powerful enough to surprise and move people. “Actually, engraving smaller than anybody else on the planet is relatively easy for me,” he explains. “The hardest part is coming up with an idea that not only surprises people when they view it, but makes them think.”
Perfection comes slowly, with patience and discipline. “If I slip, which always happens, I have to re-polish it and start again. When I’m nearing the end of a piece, I really take it slowly. It is a relief when it’s finished… My satisfaction comes later when somebody views it. They are amazed. The look on their face is worth a lot to me.”
Though widely praised as “the most talented artist in the world today,” Graham approaches such remarks with humour. “Of course, I don’t believe it,” he laughs, “but being a thick Brummie, it’s always nice to hear it said!” Above all, he sees his work as a purpose and a challenge, to push himself further, to create something unbelievable, and to leave behind what he calls “the most amazing pieces of micro-engraving ever produced in the world.”