Speaking at TED is a big deal being, as it is, a conference that offers ‘knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers’.
Browsing the site just now, I was a hugely surprised to see my old neighbour, Willard Wigan, now numbers among TED’s speakers. Let’s be clear, I wasn’t surprised because he didn’t deserve the invitation – what Willard is able to do is utterly extraordinary. It’s just that I’m know him as the friendliest, best-dressed guy on my street whose model airplanes used to fall into my back garden.
He moved away a little while back, which is a shame, although I understand he’s still around Birmingham.
So here’s TED’s blurb about Willard:
Willard Wigan tells the story of how a difficult and lonely childhood drove him to discover his unique ability — to create art so tiny that it can’t be seen with the naked eye. His slideshow of figures, as seen through a microscope, can only be described as mind-boggling.
Now please spare 20mins to watch Willard Wigan’s talk – Hold your breath for micro-sculpture:
Oh, and here’s a pic of me looking suitably dumbstruck last time I caught one of Willard’s exhibitions (pic by Pete Ashton):
I remember meeting Willard at the Mailbox where he had a temporary studio. As well as his enthusiasm for his mind boggling work, he was full of anecdotes and would talk for hours to anyone – I’m not surprised he seems so comfortable in front of this huge audience!
Deserved place in the Ted line up!
Excellent. Surely he’s a candidate for the Walk of Stars nonsense on Broad st.? In fact, I’ve just nominated him (have they had any black people on there yet?).
He used to have a studio on the top floor of the Big Peg in Hockley at the same time I was working there (mid-late 90s). I seem to recall big, as well as micro, sculpture stuff in there as well.
Amazing. There is more to life than meets the eye and there is more than one way of looking at the world