Meet the Man Making the Smallest Sculptures in the World

The artist Willard Wigan has been making sculptures for six decades, and yet his entire body of work could fit in the palm of your hand.
His record-breaking micro-sculptures, which take months to complete, are made from fragments of pottery, flecks of gold and grains of sand.
And if you think the statues are small, imagine the tools used to make them. Willard has to craft them all himself, from hypodermic needles, shards of diamond and human eyelashes.
Measured in micrometers, and almost invisible to the human eye, Willard has built worlds inside the eye of a needle - Mount Rushmore, the Last Supper, the Moon Landing to name just a few.
He also holds the world record for the smallest sculpture ever made which is the size of a single human blood cell. It’s a sculpture of a fetus carved from Kevlar, and placed within the hollowed hole of a single hair. Truly mind boggling.
When he was 50, Willard was diagnosed with autism, which he credits as his “super power"" allowing him to see the world differently. He says he hopes his astonishing pieces will change other people’s understanding of the world too.
#Sculptures #Microscopic #Art
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[@mixedupdude3849]

His heartbeat being enough force to chisel away at it really puts into perspective how microscopic these sculptures are

[@marcobuncit7539]

Not to mention he needed to not spontaneously inhale or sneeze. Man truly so carefull.

[@stick9758]

Tattoo artist use the same methods when doing small stuff!! This guy just knew the right people and was in the right crowd! What he does is worthless no matter how you look at it unless he uses his talent to grow human kind

[@KiLoKiLa21]

@@stick9758 Your definition of worthless is flawed my friend. You could say your whole existence is worthless what positive impact have you had on anyone.

[@ahliyadawood2583]

8

[@stick9758]

@@KiLoKiLa21 4 amazing kids and I helped quite a few friends get off herion.

[@ObesePuppies]

“I inhaled Alice” has always been my favorite phrase from him

[@blurbutnerd8355]

Alice went down the rabbit hole

[@hanster.gun.3438]

You could feel that he thought it was a funny story but also that he was super disappointed that he had to make her again

[@bellebonebag8096]

RIP Alice

[@loucipher6839]

dont blame him for you relapsing…

[@Max-ip9vc]

Now she really is in Wonderland

[@DieselD7101]

The fact he was able to make sculptures that small so detailed is truely awe-inspiring.

[@sankofax8082]

he's like that old professor in Ant man

[@mrnorthz9373]

Thats a weird way to say "thats awesome"

[@joeleneborzacchiello]

*** THIS *** !!! i was on my way to the comments to say this exact sentence bt scrolled thru a few b/c i KNEW that i couldnt have been the only person, nor the first, to extract it !?!

[@Tio_rop]

Finally, after two long years, Big Great Story is back! I've been eagerly waiting for your return, and it's such a delight to see your content once again. Your videos are just as fantastic as they were before - informative, engaging, and entertaining. Your unique style and perspective are what sets Big Great Story apart, and I can't wait to see more of your videos. Welcome back, and keep up the excellent work!

[@harpman476]

I feel the exact same way.

[@JohnS-er7jh]

wow this is great news!

[@masonbarber871]

A haystack in a needle sounds like the perfect project for this scale!

[@abdimajidmohamed1463]

Wow that's a good one

[@rzasian]

Makes me want to play him a song on the world’s smallest violin

[@ArchonKain]

He's probably make it for you

[@FenriZz]

Mr Krabs agrees

[@GreatBigStory]

What would you like Willard to make next? 🤩

[@paleoph6168]

The logo of your channel.

[@jaf5569]

Amazing things

[@SDStudiosAnimations]

Jet

[@marashdemnika5833]

Elvis Presley

[@johnbeyene6117]

Welcome back Great Big Story you have been missed ❤

[@Haley-ne6or]

I remember reading about this guy in an issue of National Geographic kids magazine when I was like 10 and being blown away by the fact that making sculptures that small was even possible. 12 years later I still haven’t really wrapped my brain around it. The level of talent is amazing.

[@ilikepie4685]

Ok, the fact he uses his pulse to chisel away stuff is kind of insane? It really is that delicate and tiny!

[@leahcotton5315]

“I inhaled Alice” haha - those sculptures are so unique and amazing. Well done!

[@alejandrotoro9676]

Oh god the amount of skill and patience this man has is superhuman

[@Prahphet]

Imagine having some human being tell you as a child that your interests aren't purposeful. He reminds me of a person who was free to be himself and focus on what he loved. I'd love to hear more about his childhood.

[@cambridgeratmom]

The patience required. Admirable.

[@Max-js1mx]

I still am unimaginably glad you guys are back ❤ thank you for sharing the stories that truly deserve to be shown to the world

[@astick5249]

I remembered that his pulse can get in the way of sculpting, but i never realized he *used* his pulse to get tiny movements done

[@koiyujo1543]

This man is amazing for what the human hand can do! He's an inspiration

[@cardboardbox3787]

The amount of precision and patience you need to do that such an incredible feat.

[@rafaelperalta1676]

Would be nice to have a mini museum for him. A single, large room should be enough space for his special artworks.

[@notomovestoomuch]

This is amazing! I love this man, and the videos you make! Great Job!

[@Gg-ij7li]

Jesus loves you and wants to set you free from any bondages in your life! Call upon His name and He will save you! Believe in His death and resurrection and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour and be saved and abandon your sins and turn to Him! Have an amazing day❤️❤️😊😊😊

[@astick5249]

@@Gg-ij7li Tiny sculptures

[@cecilr7986]

Mr. Wigan is an absolute genius. Thanks for bringing us his story.

[@dolphincrescent54]

Willard is a gift to the world, every sculpture is so beautiful! I have autism too, and Willard inspires me and many others! I want a sculpture!

[@cirkelkk]

what a way to bring back the channel

[@Gg-ij7li]

Jesus loves you and wants to set you free from any bondages in your life! Call upon His name and He will save you! Believe in His death and resurrection and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour and be saved and abandon your sins and turn to Him! Have an amazing day❤️❤️😊😊😊

[@nassima5632]

Just asked myself was the heck happened 😂

[@therealseanw.stewart2071]

I just did a double-take in my subscription feed. Great Big Story is back!? Wonderful to see this channel alive again.

[@RyanStonedonCanadianGaming]

Alice really went down the rabbit hole in a inhale.

[@gnoscyde]

OMG Took me a whole month to realize GBS is officially back. It's really nice to see this channel out of hiatus, once again sending us nuggets of brilliance from the human race.

[@ChellyTheGreat]

Omg this man is literally making art with his heart ! Amazing

[@BleuInMotion]

So amazing! Some people have such incredible gifts.

[@baringozi2214]

Working between his heart beat is a level of precision and concentration I wasn't ready for using his eyelash as a paintbrush is something else man!! wtf

[@felixdropmann9700]

I never thought I would be this happy that a channel has returned from the dead

[@Mr2at]

What a great guy. Very positive.

[@thesecondkate]

The channel is back??? This is great!!!

[@collisw8302]

Nothing short of pure genius, this man is absolutely incredible.

[@blubirdgirly]

Dear lord I’ve missed this channel for stories just like this! I’m so glad you’re back!!!!

[@HuwDouglasEvans]

This guy's skill is completely astounding.

[@wasp_8748]

I’m so happy great big story started posting again

[@philiq18]

Next level. First time I saw his work I couldn't believe it was real. Some people are just born to be different.

[@madeofcastiron]

he can make a microscopic sculpture with his hands, and i can’t even hold my hand out and keep it steady

[@-ronin-6069]

Absolutely Incredible!!!!!🔥🔥👍👍👍

[@kozma8362]

Not big on art, but this is truly the most awesome thing I have ever seen. This guy is a marvel.

[@AJTheInvisibleGirl]

How are you not big on art? At all?

[@jdmderick]

It's so refreshing to have Great Big Story back!!!

[@dingdong2722]

it is insane how he inhaled his sculpture by accident that's how tiny it is

[@Sergeez_]

Great video! Glad you’re back to KZbin!

[@Gg-ij7li]

Jesus loves you and wants to set you free from any bondages in your life! Call upon His name and He will save you! Believe in His death and resurrection and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour and be saved and abandon your sins and turn to Him! Have an amazing day❤️❤️😊😊😊

[@leksayt]

@@Gg-ij7li nah

[@leronm5039]

Woah I didn't know Great Big Story was back! I swear I just revisited this channel a few weeks ago to watch some old videos, super psyched you guys are still going!

[@keithgordon4726]

So good to have y’all back.

[@jamesh318]

What skill and genius, just incredible

[@victorb5]

Such a neat sort of creativity! Doing anything at that scale must be so difficult in terms of precision, concentration, and accuracy. So glad this channel is alive again :)

[@peteryeung111]

That’s incredible! No matter what it is…just do something unique and enjoyable. The world will notice you when you’re great at it.

[@dotal212]

Happy to see this channel again😢😢😢

[@Archeloney]

"I inhaled Alice [...] she's in my cavities somewhere" is something I thought I'd never hear in my life

[@Jessica-kk1cz]

So glad these Great Big Stories are back. Watching this story now with my CVS reading glasses on. This guy has a superpower

[@SaitoHimea]

Heyyyy you're back!!!!! This is one of the happiest things happen this year for me

[@stroeberries]

so glad you guys are back to tell us more interesting great big story around the world!!

[@marashdemnika5833]

Wow, I remember watching about this when I was a kid, to get to know the story behind this is incredible and is kind of nostalgic

[@eeshsinger]

Hey, they're back. Awesome, welcome back; I've missed this channel. It's been a hot minute since this channel retired.

[@Voidelle]

I’m so glad this channel is back!!!!

[@hawks9142]

I remember seeing this as a kid. Its amazing to see he's still at it. And improved!

[@bellebonebag8096]

If you look closely, you can see his left eye twitching slightly from the barely restrained perpetual rage of accidentally blowing away or inhaling his sculptures

[@user-mf3bz6xg2f]

Or worse. Hes being unaware that he accidentally inahled his sculpture and looking everywhere his studio for it.

[@JerreMuesli]

Hahaha I laughed so hard with his story about Alice! But wow! How cool is this!!?? AMAZING

[@33kersadventures87]

They're back!!!!

[@TheJadekungfu]

GBS, Congrats on coming back!

[@SleepingSoldier]

Haystack in a needle... Interesting.

[@GodIsInTheTv]

Back when i was a kid, there was a story of a guy doing this. Except he didnt use equipment to help him see. There was even a story of how it changed his eyes sight and made it better.

[@ChristianLamptey]

Yaaayy! Good to see you back! 🎉

[@sushiegirl96]

So glad you’re back, Great Big Story!

[@FinnHarrisPreReleases]

Yayy!! GBS is still uploading! Keep up the good work guys

[@Snositi]

Love the video, Great Work!

[@peachfreude]

Hey yall came back! Glad to see this channel active again 🎉

[@zonestudiando277]

Great inspiration to all black artists!!

[@Buglefrog]

Insane, what an amazing talent this man has!

[@erezkoter]

Yess!!! You're back!!!

[@sir_arsen]

HOLY MOLY GBS is back!

[@minamina6112]

Bless this wholesome man

[@littlelilacbunny]

Love this dude !!!

[@justdoingitjim7095]

I used to write poetry in spirals. I'd start with the title and then the verses would follow, complete with periods and commas. As I wrote in an ever decreasing spiral inwards, I wrote smaller and smaller. I use a normal #2 pencil and when I got close to the finish I'd have to sharpen the pencil after each letter. I used a standard double edged razor blade like the ones I shaved with, to sharpen the pencil lead. After several years I was having to use a magnifying glass to finish my poems. Not because I was writing smaller, but because my eyesight was getting worse. I quit writing in spirals and my eyes got better, so I never went back to it. It was just something unique that I did for while!

[@andyvitale6071]

What an amazing talent!

[@Alexlikesapplesauce]

I love you, welcome back!

[@shizznp7411]

I’m so happy GBS is back

[@judithcsernak8449]

Wow, so beautiful and impressive.

[@haleycopans296]

OMG you guys are back????? YES FAV YT CHANNEL EVER

[@philipstowers4741]

Amazing. I would very much liked to have seen the process that he uses though.

[@Benji_transport_vids]

I'm sure I remember seeing this guy in a school book - very talented indeed!

[@rafe9852]

this guy would make a great surgeon

[@Psithurism16]

I’d love to see more!!!!!!❤

[@Gg-ij7li]

Jesus loves you and wants to set you free from any bondages in your life! Call upon His name and He will save you! Believe in His death and resurrection and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour and be saved and abandon your sins and turn to Him! Have an amazing day❤️❤️😊😊😊

[@adrianbilly5158]

And this channel is back.❤❤❤ bravooo, what a good news

[@TPLS2]

Alice took a trip to wonderlung

[@arzadopey6816]

This is amazing

[@MurderBong]

STUNNING.

[@unknownentity7408]

So glad GBS is back 🤍

[@MrCrafty05]

Amazing ❤❤❤❤ new to your channel and I love your work 😍😍😍

[@asap..now.]

Wonderful !

[@RafaelCardoso299]

Such a great story :)

[@goodvideos.113]

Beautiful scene, my friend.

[@dufocar566]

You are a genius! And you have to be sooooo patient! wow, congrats!

[@hartpaulibikiri6426]

THIS IS AWESOME!!!

[@qwertyuoqwertyuo6508]

guess you could say this was a great little story

[@simoansays4820]

This man is Amazing and I'm so glad I know about him now :)

[@slat.r]

I haven’t seen a Great Big Story video in a while!

[@Nelson-ny7ms]

Amazing ❤❤❤❤❤

[@leonardtrollington107]

Geez. Talent.

[@tylersmall6024]

That is amazing!!