MIAG Artist Series
She’d been flitting around enjoying a sunny day teasing butterflies and scattering wishes (dandelion seeds) when the clouds rolled in. A sudden gust of wind whipped across the open field catching the tiny fairy off guard. As the dandelion swayed in the breeze she clung on tight. But of course it’s just a sculpture. Isn’t it?
Robin Wight, self-proclaimed “amateur artist” of Fantasy Wire, UK, must of been the recipient of some of those fairy “wishes”. Thanks to social media, images of his extraordinary wire sculptures spread across the world like dandelion seeds in the wind. And they’re making ‘believers’ out of millions.
His captivating fairy sculptures are virtually synonymous with Trentham Gardens in Central England where they’re always on exhibit.
A fairy artist in the making
Most people in the creative field will tell you about a progression. Rarely does an artist or craftsman start out with the thing that made them famous. It’s the result of many years of experimentation. A bit of tinkering around with no thought of ever really doing something on a grand scale
Born in 1960, Wight always knew he had a talent for art. He was like that kid you knew in school who was always doing pencil sketches on paper. The kind that would cause a curious classmate to lean over his shoulder and remark “ooh, that’s good!”
We’ve all known people at work who had talents far beyond what they do for a living. Robin spent the first half of his life in the copper industry working around a lot of different metals. But the passion for art was still alive. His web site shares one lighthearted story of building sand castles on the beach with his children. The sand castles always attracted a crowd that would gather round snapping pictures. Eventually, his family moved to the woods. There, he began carving figures out of logs with a chainsaw and chisel.
“Fairies invoke thoughts of fantasy. They help you escape the real world for a moment and are generally associated with good things”
Robin Wight, fairy artist
Wishes do come true
The proverbial “ah-ha” moment came in 2010. While out repairing a wire fence, Wight discovered that wire might just be the material that would work for him. It’s good and sturdy, weather proof, and can bend and flex. So, out of that common, galvanized fence wire, he created his very first fairy. This attempt was rather crude and unsophisticated, he says on his web site, …far from the work that has given him renown.
A few years later, the marketing manager for Trentham happened upon his art work and wanted to have them on display in the Garden. The two parties worked out an arrangement. Unbeknownst to them at the time, it would set off a staggering turn of events for Wight and for Trentham.
One day in 2014, a photographer visiting the Garden took a picture of one of those fairies and shared it with audiences on Reddit and Face Book. In no time, that image was shared to thousands and then to millions.
A sculpture named “1 o’clock Wish” depicts a fairy who has plucked a towering dandelion. Wight rigged it up to rotate and spin in the breeze. The movement brings the fairy and the flower to life. With both hands gripping the stem, she whirls it around with all her might scattering seeds (wishes) in every direction. Naturally its become his signature piece, going viral on Facebook.
Most artists have certain works that are just too special to part with. So, it is with Wight. Due to popular demand, nine, and only nine replica’s of “1 o’clock wish’ will ever be made. But the original belongs to him.
A happy ending
Despite the success of his sculptures, making fairies is not his full time job. In fact, Wight still considers it a hobby. Yet, he has written a book about his artwork titled: “The Art of Fantasy Wire”. In it, he readily shares some of his secrets behind his wire sculptures. In addition, he sells a DIY Fantasy Wire starter kit which comes with everything you need to make a little 8 inch fairy. Today, Fantasy Wire is an official company that employs six people.
At Trentham, the addition of the fairies has had many positive results. Before, visitors with children would head straight over to the playground near the cafe. Very few were taking advantage of a spectacular lakeside walk. Until there was an engaging reason.
Now they have a fairy trail around the lake where wide-eyed children go to look for fairies. In addition, it encourages adults and children alike to get outdoors and explore the world of nature. Lately, Trentham has expanded their activities for families that includes something akin to a treasure hunt.
Finally, the big question everyone wants to know. What was the inspiration behind the fairy? For that, you’ll just have to read The Fairy Tale for yourself!
Editor’s Note: One of the purposes of Make it a Garden is to introduce readers to captivating garden art and the story behind it it. We hope you’ll visit the Fantasy Wire Website to learn more! fantasywire.co.uk
Artist Focus
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Great article! I love dandelion fluffs and they are awesome looking with faeries! Going to look into buying a DYI kit! Thank you, Kris!
Thanks! Yes, I absolutely loved learning the story myself! I’ve admired these for a long time, but even though the photos are all over the place, Wight’s name is nowhere on them! So I had to do some research. I’m curious about the kit, so if you order one, would you please get back with me to let me know how the order went and how easy (or hard) it was to make the little wire fairy?