Famous sculptor, John S. Smith, used an eyelash as a brush to create miniature figures for Guide Dogs.
Willard Wigan MBE, who is one of the judges on Channel 4’s The Great Big Tiny Design Challenge, worked 16-18 hours a day over a two-month period, working between heartbeats, to create the artwork.
Mr Wigan created the the tiny puppy sculpture, called Daniel, using a broken piece of porcelain dinner plate – chipping away at it using a minute piece of diamond and painting it using an eyelash.
Willard Wigan, Guide Dogs/PA
He even created the whiskers from the fibers that were floating in the sun’s rays to create the intricate sculpture. “people that may feel unseen”.
Mr Wigan said: “The eye of a needle is difficult to thread, you really have to try hard to see what you are doing and you have to look closely to see Daniel.
“Just because you can’t see it straight away, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
“People with sight difficulties are not unseen, we all possess talents that sometimes aren’t recognised until discovered and shared.”
As a schoolboy, Mr. Wigan struggled with writing and reading. He claimed that teachers told him he would be able to read and write. “amount to nothing”.
He decided to pursue his passion for microscopic arts after discovering his talents. “show the world that small things matter”.
“It’s sometimes the small things that matter the most and can leave the biggest impact on our lives,” Mr Wigan said.
“Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean you can’t feel it, or be inspired by it.”
It doesn’t matter if you don’t see it.
Willard Wigan
After being inspired by a fundraiser in Birmingham, the puppy sculpture was named Daniel.
“I was so motivated and moved by what Daniel was saying about helping and supporting visually impaired people,” Mr Wigan said.
“This resonated with my own story of feeling unseen and my work needing optical help to be able to make it and view it.
“I knew that I just had to partner with Guide Dogs and create a tiny micro sculpture as a homage to all their hard work and shine a light on to this amazing charity.”
Willard Wigan’s sculpture will be put up for sale in October (Guide Dogs/PA)
A 14-week-old yellow Labrador puppy, born in June, has been named Daniel in honour of Mr Wigan’s sculpture.
It is hoped that the real-life puppy will become a guidedog for those with sight loss.
Mr Wigan’s sculpture will be put up for sale this October and 100% of the proceeds will go towards the Guide Dogs charity appeal.