1054 31st STREET, NW       WASHINGTON, D.C. 20007

Parish Gallery Presents

Microscopic Sculptor, Willard Wigan, MBE

“Art in the Eye of a Needle”

 November 14, 2009 – January 23, 2010

Opening Reception: Friday, November 20, 2009, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

(WASHINGTON, DC) September 10, 2009 - Following the success of his three-year European tour and appearance on America’s ‘The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,’ Parish Gallery-Georgetown (1054 31^st Street, NW, Washington, DC) will be the home to the work of the celebrated micro-sculptor, Willard Wigan, MBE. Willard makes the smallest works of art on the planet. His work, which has only recently been released for sale in America, has been described as ‘The Eighth Wonder of the World.’ The exhibit will run from November 14, 2009 – January 23, 2010 and the artist will be present at a special Artist Reception on Friday, November 20.

This is an exhibition not to be missed. Wigan will be exhibiting up to 20 new pieces of micro sculptures released into the American market with which to mesmerise the people of Washington, DC. The works, which are small enough to fit in the eye of a needle, will include Charlie Chaplin on the end of an eyelash, The Simpsons on a pinhead, Harry Potter & Friends within the eye of a needle and even The Obama Family and the Oscar within the eye of a needle, to name but a few. The sculptured pieces are housed in cases incorporating microscope lenses focused on the work. Images are available at www.willard-wigan.com. An appreciation of the size of the work is only achieved by viewing ‘in the flesh’.

Norman Parish, gallery owner states, “An exhibition of this type is extraordinary for Parish Gallery.  However, keeping with high quality and extremely skilled creativity this is a must to see.  Come and experience micro-sculpture that is a complete privilege to have on exhibit at my gallery.  Wigan’s work is utterly unique and a special opportunity for the people of Washington to witness firsthand the meeting of art and science.”

The Art in the Eye of a Needle U.S. tour is presented in association with the Caribbean Heritage Organization, Inc. (www.caribbeanheritage.org) and the Institute of Caribbean Studies, DC (www.icdsdc.org).

Willard Wigan, MBE

Born in 1957 in Birmingham, Willard Wigan, MBE began his artistic life at a tender age. Suffering from dyslexia and learning difficulties, he struggled at school, finding solace in creating art of such minute proportions that it virtually could not be seen with the naked eye. Willard’s gift has been recognized by the world leading Technology, Entertainment, Design institute, (www.ted.com) where Willard appeared as a guest speaker at the July 2009 world conference in Oxford, U.K. Previous speakers at the conference have included iconic world figures such as Bill Clinton and Al Gore.

“It began when I was five years old,” says Willard. “I started making houses for ants because I thought they needed somewhere to live. Then I made them shoes and hats. It was a fantasy world I escaped to where my dyslexia didn’t hold me back and my teachers couldn’t criticize me. That’s how my career as a micro-sculptor began.”

Video Links:

http:/blog.ted.com/2009/08/hold_your_breat.php

http://www.hulu.com/watch/89611/the-tonight-show-with-conan-obrien-micro-sculptor-willard-wigan#s-p1-st-i1

http://www.wgntv.com/wgntv-pin-art-cover-story-sept10,0,1755724.story

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125426448028050665.html

http://online.wsj.com/video/the-microscopic-art-of-willard-wigan/6D8C37BC-0363-4C5F-A7A6-50D4289BCFAB.html

Parish Gallery-Georgetown

Parish Gallery-Georgetown, located at 1054 31^st Street, NW, Washington, DC in Canal Square was opened in 1991 to represent, primarily but not exclusively, visual artists of significance from Africa and the African Diaspora.  In selecting art and artists we exercise high ethical, curatorial and market selection standards, catering to the spirit of social preservation and regeneration in collecting the art.  Parish Gallery has enriched the Washington art community by bringing harmony into the world through the promotion of international arts and culture.

Parish Gallery-Georgetown, 1054 31^st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007

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Parish Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, from noon to 6 pm; other hours by appointment.