Medium: Micro-Engraving on a £20 Note
Presentation: Bespoke Wooden Display Case with Integrated Magnifying Glass and Lighting System (Prototype Shown)
This refined micro‑engraving pays tribute to Aston Martin, a marque synonymous with British engineering, elegance, and performance. Engraved entirely by hand onto the surface of a genuine £20 note, the artwork features the unmistakable silhouette of a classic Aston Martin, complete with its distinctive number plate and crisp automotive detailing. At a scale almost invisible to the naked eye, the engraving transforms a familiar banknote into a hidden celebration of craftsmanship and motoring heritage.
Working on banknote fibres is one of the most technically demanding surfaces in miniature art. The material is textured, delicate, and highly absorbent, requiring extraordinary control to avoid tearing or distortion. Under extreme magnification, Short uses ultra‑fine needles and custom‑engineered tools to carve each microscopic line with near‑motionless accuracy. The curvature of the bodywork, the geometry of the headlights, and the subtle shaping of the grille must all be formed one microscopic cut at a time. Even the number plate, a hallmark of the car’s identity, is engraved with astonishing clarity at a scale measured in microns.
To present the artwork as intended, the engraved £20 note is housed in a bespoke wooden display case designed specifically for this series. The prototype includes a precision‑fitted magnifying glass and an adjustable lighting system, allowing viewers to explore the engraving in perfect clarity. The warm wood, integrated optics, and soft illumination create a museum‑grade presentation that honours both the subject and the craftsmanship.
Medium: Micro-Engraving on a £20 Note
Presentation: Bespoke Wooden Display Case with Integrated Magnifying Glass and Lighting System (Prototype Shown)
This refined micro‑engraving pays tribute to Aston Martin, a marque synonymous with British engineering, elegance, and performance. Engraved entirely by hand onto the surface of a genuine £20 note, the artwork features the unmistakable silhouette of a classic Aston Martin, complete with its distinctive number plate and crisp automotive detailing. At a scale almost invisible to the naked eye, the engraving transforms a familiar banknote into a hidden celebration of craftsmanship and motoring heritage.
Working on banknote fibres is one of the most technically demanding surfaces in miniature art. The material is textured, delicate, and highly absorbent, requiring extraordinary control to avoid tearing or distortion. Under extreme magnification, Short uses ultra‑fine needles and custom‑engineered tools to carve each microscopic line with near‑motionless accuracy. The curvature of the bodywork, the geometry of the headlights, and the subtle shaping of the grille must all be formed one microscopic cut at a time. Even the number plate, a hallmark of the car’s identity, is engraved with astonishing clarity at a scale measured in microns.
To present the artwork as intended, the engraved £20 note is housed in a bespoke wooden display case designed specifically for this series. The prototype includes a precision‑fitted magnifying glass and an adjustable lighting system, allowing viewers to explore the engraving in perfect clarity. The warm wood, integrated optics, and soft illumination create a museum‑grade presentation that honours both the subject and the craftsmanship.
