Artist Paints Tiny Peaky Blinders Sculpture Using Just an Eyelash!

Dr Willard Wigan, an artist from Wolverhampton, has created a remarkable microsculpture of Tommy Shelby, the main character from the popular TV series Peaky Blinders. What makes this artwork so special is that it is so tiny you need a microscope to see it. Dr Wigan spent four weeks working on this piece, using his own eyelash as a paintbrush to paint the details. The sculpture shows Tommy Shelby riding a horse, capturing the mysterious and stylish look of the Peaky Blinders. Dr Wigan said he made this piece for the people of the West Midlands because he admires the way the characters dress and the sense of mystery in the show.

The Tommy Shelby sculpture is just one of 20 microsculptures on display at the Cornbow Centre in Halesowen. The exhibition, called Through the Microscope and In the Eye of a Needle, features artworks that are so small they fit inside the eye of a needle, on the head of a pin, or even inside a single human hair. Visitors need to use microscopes to see the incredible details of each piece. Dr Wigan is well-known for his tiny sculptures and once held the world record for the smallest handmade sculpture. He explained that he has trained his nervous system to work between his heartbeats, giving him just 1. 5 seconds to move his tools before his pulse starts again. For the smallest sculptures, he sometimes uses a piece of dust instead of an eyelash to paint.

The exhibition is not just about art; it is also helping animals in need. All the money raised from the show will go to Monarch's Mutts Dog Rescue, a charity started by Lucy Antill and her sister in Halesowen. Dr Wigan said he has always loved animals and is happy that his art can support the charity. Lucy Antill explained that the funds will help them buy a vehicle to transport dogs and pay for expensive vet bills, which can be as much as £5,000 a month. She hopes that one day they can buy land and build kennels to create a sanctuary for dogs. Dr Wigan, who was diagnosed as autistic at age 50, said that his challenges with reading and writing led him to discover his talent for creating tiny art. He was made an MBE in 2007 for his services to art. The exhibition will run for four weeks, giving people a chance to see these amazing tiny sculptures and help support a good cause.