Episode Description:

On this week's episode of The Invisible Gift, Andrew sits down with famed micro artist and Guinness world record holder Willard Wigan MBE. Willard takes Andrew through his journey to becoming the greatest micro artist in the world, speaking powerfully about the autism and dyslexia that helped define his creativity and vision on life, and we discover what the Queen said when she saw his work.

Top Quotes: 

"I'll tell you what brought it home for me. The Queen, when she saw my work, said she's never had something so small that's meant so much." - Willard

"Sometimes in life we can feel like we're a diamond in a dustbin but whatever you put your mind to you can achieve." - Willard

About the host:

The Invisible Gift is hosted by entrepreneur and dyslexic, Andrew Kitley. With twenty years experience, Andrew Kitley has worked his way up the metaphorical and literal ladder to become Managing Director of Kitall: an engineering firm.

Under Andrew's guidance, Kitall is now one of the most sought after names to complete complex engineering projects in the UK. In each episode of The Invisible Gift, Andrew seeks the advice and inspiration of a fellow trailblazer who has defied the odds to achieve the extraordinary - turning the challenge of dyslexia into a gift.

About the guest: 

Dr. Willard Wigan MBE  is an artist and sculptor who specialises in microscopic art. Wigan worked in a factory for two decades before making a name for himself.  During that time, he sculpted at night, working on his miniatures. Willard’s work would get finally noticed by the public after carving a bust of, ironically, William Shakespeare. This would be the catalyst for starting his own workshop in a shopping centre. He has been the subject of an award-winning TV documentary from Channel 4, been a guest on chat shows, and his work is exhibited across the World within the Ripley’s Believe it or Not exhibitions.

Willard has achieved two Guinness World Records for the smallest sculptures ever created entirely by human hand. Willard was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 & was awarded a doctorate in 2018 as recognition to his contribution to the arts. Some of Willard’s famous admirers include David Lloyd, who owns a 70-piece collection insured for more than 20 million dollars; Sir Elton John; Magicians Sigfried and Roy; and Prince Charles of Wales.

Resources: 

https://www.willardwiganmbe.com/

https://www.kitall.co.uk/

https://www.onefineplay.com/