Globally renowned micro-artist Dr Willard Wigan MBE has unveiled a breathtaking miniature sculpture of Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders, crafted delicately inside the eye of a needle. Using one of his own eyelashes as a paintbrush, Dr Wigan painstakingly sculpted the figure of Tommy atop a black horse, measuring just 0.5mm—barely larger than a full stop.
At his Birmingham workshop, Dr Wigan dedicated 16 hours a day over five weeks to create this exquisite micro-artwork from the ultra-light fibre Kevlar. His motivation was to pay tribute to the iconic Brummie gang after the release of the Peaky Blinders film, which he credits with “putting Birmingham on the map.”
Dr Wigan, 68, from Edgbaston, shared his thoughts: “I’ve loved watching the series evolve and the way it has helped shine a light on Birmingham for a global audience. The style of the Peaky Blinders and the mystery that surrounds them really inspired me. The image of Tommy on the horse is especially iconic and mystical.”
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Sculpting horses is notoriously difficult, especially at such a microscopic scale. Dr Wigan explained his process: “I have a photographic memory, so I only needed to see the image once. Using ultra-sharp microscopic tools—including a blade so fine it’s invisible and an acupuncture needle mounted on a toothpick—I carefully manipulated the material. I used an eyelash from my pillow as a paintbrush to apply the paint, which dries almost instantly at this scale.”
Mastering this art form requires extraordinary patience. Dr Wigan trains himself to work between heartbeats, taking advantage of the brief moments when his pulse stops to create undisturbed movements. “I have about 1.5 seconds between beats to sculpt with precision,” he revealed.
This remarkable miniature is currently exhibited alongside 19 other pieces at the Cornbow Shopping Centre in Halesowen, West Midlands. All proceeds from the exhibition benefit Mutts Dog Rescue, an animal charity close to Dr Wigan’s heart.
“I’ve always loved animals, especially dogs,” Dr Wigan said. “Sadly, some are mistreated, so supporting this charity means a lot to me.”
Lucy Antill from Mutts Dog Rescue added, “Though we are volunteers with limited resources, efforts like this help raise awareness and involve the community in finding forever homes for dogs in need. Willard’s incredible talent and dedication make a real difference.”
The exhibition, titled Through the Microscope and In the Eye of a Needle, runs for four more weeks. Meanwhile, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man premiered in select UK cinemas on March 6 and will be available worldwide on Netflix from March 20.