Sculpting a grain of sand | Willard Wigan | TEDxInstitutLeRosey

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. At school Willard Wigan, a pupil who found reading and writing difficult, was told that he was a “nothing” - yet with the support of his mother and with his natural ability, he has won acclaim and many awards as the artist who has created the smallest sculptures in the world. In this talk, he describes how he overcame barriers and feelings of inferiority to explore a microscopic world.
Willard is an English artist who creates microscopic sculptures; his sculpture often placed in the eye of needles.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@Drakonopia]

His Mom is a great person for supporting Him!!!!!!!

[@blairadventure7460]

Thank you for your work ! Your a inspiration , I have Aspergers and it wasn’t detected until I was 21 years old . I was told a lot that I ‘ slow’ and put in special classes that didn’t make me feel very special . I went on to become a tattoo artist and then a nail artist ! I’m working on craft over my lifetime and will never stop ! I also have a passion for tiny details :) it’s frustrating but fun and endless I’m glad there’s someone else in the world with the same joy I have !

[@ladyjane5456]

Willard has the potential for more than art.He can apply his surgical skills to science.He is part of a Brillant Nano

[@veeveevenn]

He’s absolutely adorable. So talented. An impressively handsome Godly man. One of the few, most amazing people to have ever lived.

[@jadpapi]

This dude is amazingly gifted

[@tizintishka]

I bet your school teacher whom you keep referring to would be so embarrassed and ashamed of herself to belittle you. What a great man you are.

[@kathhollandful]

Humiliated by a teacher! That makes me incredibly angry! So glad he’s been able to use their negativity to fuel his determination. The best way to put them in their place! They are but useless specks of dust on the shoulder of a genius like this man. Specks of dust not worthy to be sculpted into anything of beauty.

[@mjallenuk]

Outstanding!

[@YSL901]

Amazing work, this is the first time I have seen his work and I am inspired, motivated and encouraged by his discipline. :) great stuff love it :)

[@eleatherman1]

My friend, how ironic that you have become a teacher, one who covers an audience far bigger than this teachers classroom. Don’t try to achieve the accomplishments of a better student in someone else’s eyes. You are successful in what you were meant to be.- Love your humor. From Seattle Washington

[@3enjoy3]

Wow, just wow!

[@lindseytaylor1787]

What a guy! The little world is the big world. Amazing talent - Genius

[@cjstarmonkey73]

What an EXPANSIVE spirit he has

[@TheRobinRedbreast]

This guy is extremely talented and smart.

[@Twisted_Tables_nothing117]

This dude is gunna create something that forms a black hole and sucks in the earth

[@ryanhagan4660]

The best things come in the smallest of packages

[@anthonypacely5170]

Wow !!! Simply Amazing , I'm your biggest fan

[@brianpoetart]

Ha I think I'm right up there dude - place for millions though, billions, even

[@mikeabba1990]

When I told my mum Willard had sculpted a person out of a strand carpet fibre and it was 0.7millimetres from top to bottom she said "That's impossible Michael!" When I showed her the sculpture on my phone she nearly fell off her chair. The man's unbelievable, and what he does has the ring of something ridiculous, impossible! How does he do it?!?

[@epicenterx3291]

With the talent to make physical microscopic art, seeing how we already have access to the digital library (the internet), he could make physical microscopic libraries that can hold vast more information (than macro sized physical libraries) with articles, along with books with microscopic texts and images. If he has a way to make a 2D and a 3D printer that can print on the microscopic scale, physical microscopic libraries can be made, which physical microscopic libraries can be a very useful back-up if in any event that something happens to the internet that the public would still have access to having a library that can be used as a reference to rebuild what was digitally lost, for example.

[@danilopilat434]

Queiria legenda em português 🥺

[@nokaccino]

Quite interesting! I feel bad to say that this man probably will not make it much farther than this, due to the fact that the world is generally only interested in big and immediately appealing things. I respect you, Willard. Continue to strive for smaller!

[@MsCraz2010]

Sadly, you have no idea what this man has already accomplished. He overcame being told he was nothing. He found a skill that gives his daily life meaning. His work is amazing. He is known around the world. He also sold a lot of his work for 20 million dollars. I think he has made it farther than most of us have ever dreamed.

[@nokaccino]

+Amber Fenix You're right, I didn't and don't really "know" him; my comment was based on what I saw in the video. It's great that he was able to go far. However, you have to remember that success is internal--however far you go is limited to how far you think you're going!

[@brianpoetart]

Well then, isn't he one million per cent successful, perhaps one of the most successful people the world over. That is if you want to compare to anyone else, which it seems he has no real interest in doing. To do what he can and has done, in my opinion, is utterly raw intelligence working everything magical into play

[@RaphaelAshanti]

2 microns inside a human hair? That's insane!!!😱

[@tummyseeyawrong6569]

He reminds me of myself..

[@the420beni.4]

"They didn't Ants- er him back"

[@julioperes4430]

why there is no video evidence of him building these sculptures? because humans would never understand the real way he makes them, he is not human!

[@realeyesrealizereallies7134]

amazing work. it's kind of funny how he presents himself though. it's as if he thinks he found the cure for cancer. in his journey he carves small carvings. what's the journey?

[@brianpoetart]

the journey is giving his level of unmatched genius over to the world dude

[@jeannetteburgess2745]

A journey we, who appreciate his work are all grateful for. Then there are the comments like yours. Thankfully comments like yours are far and few between. Willard is AMAZING. Long may He continue!!!!