Educational Media Reviews Online

An artist that creates in miniature where the art cannot be seen with the unaided eye - that is Willard Wigan, a Birmingham, UK native. Wigan, encouraged by his mother when he was little, has found creating in miniature a worthwhile challenge. His art is in collections all over the world.

This documentary follows the creative process he uses to realize an inspiration into a miniature masterwork. Usually located in the eye of a needle or the head of a pin, we see Wigan use a strand of his own hair to carve a scene and pay tribute to his mother. He utilizes watchmaker tools, chips of diamonds and even using his own eyelash as a paintbrush to work on his pieces. By calming his breathing, he has the ability to carve under a microscope and use his heartbeat as a motor for chipping away at hair or even carpet fiber. Ultimately, the viewer is shown the smallest sculpture done by hand by the artist and the smallest in the world. The reveal easily moves the viewer and reinforces that sheer tenacity of the type of work Wigans is known for.

An amazing well done documentary that uses CGI in an entertaining way with Wigans as the subject, not just his art. The artistic process is discussed, and rare insight is given into inspiration and technique. Fascinating and worthwhile as a contemporary portrait of a unique artist.