The artist who has the world on point

“I find inspiration in the photographs I take of buildings and monuments on my travels,” Fidai says. Photo: Salavat Fidai

Where most of us see just a pencil, Salavat Fidai sees potential. The artist, based in Ufa, Russia, is known for creating beautifully ornate works of art out of tiny pencil leads. His varied microsculpture collection includes everything from the Eiffel Tower and Taipei 101 to the characters of Town Musicians of Bremen, the famous fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. “I find inspiration in pop culture, art, in the photographs I take of buildings and monuments on my travels, and occasionally, even from my Instagram followers,” Fidai says. Once he’s decided on a subject, he chips, shaves and polishes, using a magnifying glass to make sure each piece is as lifelike as possible.

Here’s a tour of Fidai’s pencil world and a quick video of him mastering the Qutub Minar:

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