Ajay Kumar, a micro sculptor from Telangana, creates an intricate ‘Christ the Redeemer’ in the eye of a needle

A miniature sculpture of ‘Christ the Redeemer’ in the eye of a needle by Ajay Kumar Mattewada

Internationally acclaimed micro sculptor Ajay Kumar Mattewada from Warangal has created a stunning microscopic replica of ‘Christ the Redeemer’, one of the Seven Wonders of the World located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While the original statue is 30 meters (98 feet) tall, Mr. Ajay Kumar’s version measures only 1.1 mm and is built within the eye of a needle. Despite its small size, the sculpture captures intricate details such as the folds of Christ’s garment and the position of his fingers with remarkable precision.

Ajay Kumar said that he used self-prepared wax, plastic powder and caterpillar hair to dye it. For fine detail, he used delicate tools made from silkworm hairs, which bend with breath. “It took me 90 painstaking hours over two months to create this masterpiece. It can only be seen under a microscope,” he added.

This is not the first time that Mr. Ajay Kumar has displayed his extraordinary talent. In 2017, he created a microscopic golden cross of Jesus measuring 0.95 mm in height and 0.17 mm in width. In 2023, he sculpted ‘The Last Supper’, depicting Jesus and his twelve disciples.

Mr. Ajay Kumar’s artistry has earned him worldwide recognition. In May 2024, he participated in the prestigious World Art Dubai Exhibition, where his miniature sculptures were admired by audiences and artists from 65 countries. 400 artists were present at the event, showcasing their various artistic talents.

In June 2024, he won first place in the “India-US Space Cooperation Visual Art Competition” organized by the US Consulate General in Hyderabad. His needle-eye art earned him an invitation to the US National Day celebrations, where he was honored by US Consul General Jennifer Larson and Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhati Wickremarka. Mr. Ajay also exhibited his miniature sculptures at the event.

Mr. Ajay Kumar’s earlier works have also received significant acclaim. In 2019, his miniature sculptures depicting the Dandi March were permanently exhibited at the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial Museum in Dandi, Gujarat. The exhibition was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who personally praised Mr. Ajay’s craftsmanship.

With only three or four artists in the world specializing in sculpting inside the eye of a needle, Mr. Ajay Kumar stands out for his unparalleled skill. His journey began in 2004 when he set a world record, and since then, he has been featured in Limca Book of Records five times. Over the years, his work has been praised by prominent leaders including former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as well as current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.