Becoming the World's Greatest Microscopic Artist with Willard Wigan MBE

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." - WillardAbout 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/

Om Podcasten

Welcome to The Invisible Gift, the show all about turning the Neurodiversity into possibility. Andrew Kitley grew up knowing he was different. His dyslexia and ADHD made it difficult for Andrew to learn the same way others did in school. Despite Andrew possessing exceptional abilities in other areas, he was told he had a problem, a disability. Andrew left school frustrated, unfulfilled, without reaching his full potential. This could have been a disaster but it turned out to be a blessing. Andrew would work his way up the literal and metaphorical ladder to become Managing Director of Kitall: a structural engineering firm. Under Andrew's guidance, Kitall is now one of the most sought after names to complete complex engineering projects in the UK. Now, Andrew is under no illusion he has a gift. His dyslexia, his neurodiversity, has made him determined, adaptive, and creative. Andrew is on a mission to learn more about neurodiversity. How it can challenge, define, and empower. In The Invisible Gift, Andrew will seek the advice and inspiration of another trailblazer who has defied the odds to achieve the extraordinary - turning their challenge into an invisible gift.