Aired on Channel 4 in the U.K., filmmaker Kenny Scott’s delightful documentary focuses on the astounding achievements of British painter-sculptor Willard Wigan. Born to working-class Jamaican-descended parents in Wolverhampton, Wigan was a struggling, dyslexic student with no formal art education but was also a veritable prodigy at carving miniatures using only rudimentary tools (he started by making little houses for the backyard ants). Wigan is now recognized as the world’s great "micro-artist" (a category in which he is not alone), painstakingly hand-making tiny paintings and sculptures that fit in the eye of a needle. In the course of this documentary, Wigan embarks on a highly personal project, a carved, infinitesimal piece of carpet fiber that is a tribute to his late mother, who supported and inspired his efforts. If completed, it will break records as the smallest human carving ever—actually at the cellular level—and the blend of art and science (as well as undertones of multiculturalism and tolerance) is sublime. High-tech digital cinematography enlivens the already transfixing presentation, using special f/x to render the charismatic Wigan as either a giant or an incredible shrinking man. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)
World’s Tiniest Masterpieces: The Wonderful World of Willard Wigan
(2019) 60 min. DVD: $225. DRA. Film Ideas. PPR. Volume 34, Issue 4
World’s Tiniest Masterpieces: The Wonderful World of Willard Wigan
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