Medium: Micro-Engraving on the Head of a Pin
Presentation: Bespoke Wooden Display Case with Integrated Microscope and Lighting System
This extraordinary micro‑engraving features Asma’ul Husna - The 99 Names of Allah, rendered by hand onto the head of a platinum pin. At a scale completely invisible to the naked eye, each name is engraved in beautifully flowing Arabic script, demonstrating Graham Short’s unparalleled ability to combine spiritual reverence with microscopic precision.
Working under extreme magnification, Short uses ultra‑fine needles and custom‑engineered tools to carve each name one microscopic stroke at a time. Arabic calligraphy presents unique challenges: sweeping curves, balanced symmetry, and delicate flourishes must all be executed with perfect control. Over months of disciplined work, late‑night sessions, controlled breathing, and pulse‑slowing techniques, Short engraves all 99 names at a scale measured in microns.
The result is a breath taking constellation of sacred names arranged in a circular composition, radiating from a central inscription. The engraving honours centuries of Islamic artistic tradition, reimagined through the lens of modern miniature craftsmanship. It is a piece that invites contemplation, devotion, and awe, a hidden world of spiritual meaning contained within a surface smaller than a grain of rice.
To present the artwork as intended, the platinum pin is housed in a handcrafted wooden display case designed specifically for this piece. A precision‑fitted microscope is integrated into the case, allowing viewers to experience the engraving in perfect clarity. An adjustable lighting system illuminates the platinum surface from the ideal angle, revealing the delicate textures and astonishing detail carved into the metal.
Medium: Micro-Engraving on the Head of a Pin
Presentation: Bespoke Wooden Display Case with Integrated Microscope and Lighting System
This extraordinary micro‑engraving features Asma’ul Husna - The 99 Names of Allah, rendered by hand onto the head of a platinum pin. At a scale completely invisible to the naked eye, each name is engraved in beautifully flowing Arabic script, demonstrating Graham Short’s unparalleled ability to combine spiritual reverence with microscopic precision.
Working under extreme magnification, Short uses ultra‑fine needles and custom‑engineered tools to carve each name one microscopic stroke at a time. Arabic calligraphy presents unique challenges: sweeping curves, balanced symmetry, and delicate flourishes must all be executed with perfect control. Over months of disciplined work, late‑night sessions, controlled breathing, and pulse‑slowing techniques, Short engraves all 99 names at a scale measured in microns.
The result is a breath taking constellation of sacred names arranged in a circular composition, radiating from a central inscription. The engraving honours centuries of Islamic artistic tradition, reimagined through the lens of modern miniature craftsmanship. It is a piece that invites contemplation, devotion, and awe, a hidden world of spiritual meaning contained within a surface smaller than a grain of rice.
To present the artwork as intended, the platinum pin is housed in a handcrafted wooden display case designed specifically for this piece. A precision‑fitted microscope is integrated into the case, allowing viewers to experience the engraving in perfect clarity. An adjustable lighting system illuminates the platinum surface from the ideal angle, revealing the delicate textures and astonishing detail carved into the metal.
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