Willard Wigan's miniature sculpture of superhero Ant-Man is something to marvel at
Shrunken superhero Ant-Man is the latest creation by renowned micro-artist Willard Wigan.
It is one of the star attractions in a new exhibition for the Marvel movie, which has gone on show in London.
The tiny artwork, which is created in the eye of a needle, measuring 4.5m by 3.2m, is part of a miniature art gallery.
Self-taught artist Wigan, who was born in Wolverhampton, first became interested in micro-sculpture at the age of five when he began making houses for ants because he thought they needed somewhere to live.
Willard said: "When I was asked to do this it was like almost a dream come true because that's how my career started with ants, so it was no brainer for me to do this.
"Disney approached my company in Switzerland and asked whether I could do a co-collaboration to commemorate the premier of the film Ant-Man.
"I was so honoured to receive this type of message especially when you know it's coming from Disney. To know my career started with ants and to be involved in a blockbuster film is absolutely fantastic.
"Ants are the world's strongest creature pound for pound. They can lift something like 100 times their own weight.
"They are the most awesome animal in the rainforest they are the most feared predator in the rainforest."
The Antsibition exhibition is being held in partnership with IMAX 3D to give fans a glimpse of the minute scale of the superhero. Willard's latest micro sculpture is intricately detailed complete with Ant-Man's trademark helmet, tube and red and black stripes.
See more on Willard Wigan at Native Monster
Gallery: Willard Wigan: Through the Eye of a Needle exhibition, Library of Birmingham
It took Willard around three-and-a-half weeks to create and is made from kevlar and white gold.
He added Disney and Marvel were 'blown away' when they saw the final product.
Working on such a small scale brings it's own obvious challenges. The 58-year-old said: "Its very difficult to get the complete shape.
"I had to make the helmet separate and fit it onto the figure's head.
"Its very difficult to get two colours especially something that small, it really is microscopic."
