Merlion
05-13-2007, 06:58 PM
Microscopic sculptures valued at £11m sold to David Lloyd (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=454263&in_page_id=1770)
12 May 2007, It is not the most eye catching of art collections - mainly because you can barely see it with the naked eye.
In fact, you need a powerful microscope to appreciate the talent that has gone into creating these extraordinary sculptures. ....
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/05_01/willard1105_468x304.jpg
The collection is valued at more than £11million and has just been bought by David Lloyd, the former tennis champion turned art collector.
Pieces include ...the Statue of Liberty in the eye of a needle and a sculpture of Marilyn Monroe, half the size of a full-stop, carved out of diamond.
The pieces are all the work of artist Willard Wigan, who said he slows down his heartbeat and goes into a meditative state to prevent tremors when he is working.
Each piece can require him to carve for up to 16 hours a day for two months - and the slightest movement can be disastrous.
He said: "The pulse in my fingertip can ruin a sculpture and I have to work at night because the vibrations from traffic can cause problems." ...
"It is impossible to enjoy the work when you are doing it," he said.
"The enjoyment comes from seeing people's reactions when you're finished." ...
12 May 2007, It is not the most eye catching of art collections - mainly because you can barely see it with the naked eye.
In fact, you need a powerful microscope to appreciate the talent that has gone into creating these extraordinary sculptures. ....
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/05_01/willard1105_468x304.jpg
The collection is valued at more than £11million and has just been bought by David Lloyd, the former tennis champion turned art collector.
Pieces include ...the Statue of Liberty in the eye of a needle and a sculpture of Marilyn Monroe, half the size of a full-stop, carved out of diamond.
The pieces are all the work of artist Willard Wigan, who said he slows down his heartbeat and goes into a meditative state to prevent tremors when he is working.
Each piece can require him to carve for up to 16 hours a day for two months - and the slightest movement can be disastrous.
He said: "The pulse in my fingertip can ruin a sculpture and I have to work at night because the vibrations from traffic can cause problems." ...
"It is impossible to enjoy the work when you are doing it," he said.
"The enjoyment comes from seeing people's reactions when you're finished." ...