Toni Kanwa's artwork, ‘cosmology’ showcases a network of impossibly tiny, needle sized figures, crafted of wood.

There are some artists who have a knack for intricate work with difficult canvases. That’s the case for Toni Kanwa.

Called ‘cosmology of Life’, it showcases a network of impossibly tiny, needle sized figures, crafted of wood. In total, there were 1,000 of the wooden art pieces arranged on a lit table, creating a population of sorts.

Kanwa placed magnifying glasses near the display so viewers would be able to take a closer look at it. The most amazing aspect is that the details on the toothpick sized hand carved sculptures can’t be seen clearly with the naked eye.

Kanwa’s inspiration for the traditions and cultures of the Indonesia Archipelago pushed him to create the ‘cosmology’ exhibit. The figures, shaped like talismans were molded and carved by Kanwa’s intuition, to reflect his views of spirituality and nature.

Due mostly to his knowledge and affiliation with the culture and practices in Indonesia, Kanwa’s process in crafting the miniscule talismans involved dialoging along with planning how to use the material before taking the first steps in sculpting.

What do you think of the artwork?