It wasn’t always viral fame and fairies for sculpture sensation Robin Wight. The UK native and former engineer worked his way through several professions, but it was his role as a father that would ultimately steer him towards a more creative direction. Building sandcastles for his children ignited something within, a perfect resonance and fusion of past disciplines combined with good old fashioned whimsy and fun. This hobby would be given space to grow in spades once he and his family moved to a nature reserve, where vast emerald canvases awaited and Robin could let his imagination run wild.
The fixation on fairies would begin with a chance encounter in a forest. When examining his photos one day he happened across this one:
“At Christmas 2009, I received a new camera. While in the woods, learning how to use it, I took a photo of the light streaming through the trees on to some moss covered rocks. It was only later when I unloaded the camera and examined the images that I noticed what looks like a fairy in the tree. I’m sure it must be just an illusion, like seeing a rabbit shape in the clouds, but it does look convincingly like a fairy.”
Wight would settle on his preferred medium of metal wire while mending a fence one day. He was about to throw out some leftover wire when he realized it was the perfect medium for building forms - strong yet malleable and lightweight. He began to experiment with the human form, getting his proportions down until he’d produced a few decent prototypes. These prototypes would eventually find their home in the Trentham Estate, where nature lovers could stumble across them in unexpected places along the trail. The fairies quickly became a local attraction. Fast forward several more prototypes later and a picture of one of his sculptures made it to the front page of Reddit, eventually going viral to reach millions.
Considering the random nature of this new career, and the sheer beauty and perfection of these sculptures, it’s easy to see why Robin has captivated the imaginations of so many people. This is truly excellent work.
All images courtesy of Robin Wight. View more at his home page or visit him on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube .FinePrintArt.com is a unique platform developed and maintained by Fine Print New York, experts in the restoration of antique, rare & damaged wallpapers. This collaboration allows this website to offer insightful, ad-free content on creative artists and the evolution of visual branding. Fine Print's expertise in restoring vintage designs directly informs the rich, well-researched articles found here, showcasing our commitment to both historical preservation and contemporary artistic exploration.
Joseph Gornail a distinguished printer/photographer and the visionary behind Fine Print New York, hails from SoHo, Manhattan. Rooted in a family tradition of NYC printing, Joseph mastered the craft as a teenager. His significant impact on the New York printing industry ignited in 1996 with Dolo Records/Stretch Armstrong. He founded All City Marketing & Printing in the late '90s and co-created the iconic streetwear label Orchard Street with partners Benjamin Holloway and Greig Bennett in 1999. In 2004, Joseph launched Fine Print NYC, establishing it as a leading commercial printing firm. The company debuted with a landmark project for Nike, epitomizing innovation and resilience in the modern digital landscape.
Steven Garcia a prominent designer/illustrator and creative director at Fine Print, originates from Bushwick, Brooklyn. A graduate of Fashion Industries High School and the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), Steven has carved a notable path in the design world. His early career highlights include a role as a sought-after professional retoucher and storyboard artist at Saatchi & Saatchi in 1996. Embracing his entrepreneurial side, Steven founded ShinyDesign in 1998, which later became a key design partner for Fine Print NYC in 2004. His extensive portfolio features collaborations with elite brands such as Snapple, The Waldorf Astoria, Netflix and Sony, cementing his status as a key influencer in New York's vibrant advertising & design industry.