Small Scale, Big Appeal
Meet Lim Pui Wan, the miniature artist from Johor who impressed Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds so much that he asked her to be his teacher
Miniature artist Lim Pui Wan teaches Hollywood
You can just imagine Lim Pui Wan’s delight when she was informed that Ryan Reynolds, major Hollywood star/ husband of Blake Lively/
Deadpool actor, shortlisted her as one of his “mentors” for the Snapchat series, Ryan Doesn’t Know.
“I received an email in November last year from Westbrook Media (the production company behind Ryan Doesn’t Know),” she says. “It said Ryan has bookmarked some ideas for the show and I was one of them. I was in utter disbelief but I replied the email anyway. Soon after, we had a Zoom meet and that was when I knew it was true!”
All 12 episodes of Ryan Doesn’t Know, which went live in February this year, can be viewed on the app although the first two episodes are also available on Youtube. Apart from learning about miniature art, Reynolds was also taught how to throw an ax and sculpt ice.
“I’m a fan of him and never thought that this could happen to me,” enthuses Lim, 28. “I was very nervous speaking to him but we knew that it was not a serious tutorial and everything went great with the jokes and laughter.”
Lim was impressed by Reynolds as a student/host. “He was good at handling everything and making the session interactive and funny. I was blessed to be part of this experience.”
Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Lim moved to Johor Bahru a year ago to join her husband. By then, she had already been doing miniature art for over a decade. Working under the moniker Picoworm (which is also her official Instagram handle), her tiny sculptures are often of places that are incredibly detailed and life-like.
“I was introduced to miniature art by my elder sister who was a collector. She had a book that talked about miniatures and I remember stumbling upon it when I was 14.”
She started to teach herself
to make miniature art. “There were no Youtube tutorials then, unlike today. I basically learned from books and blogs by Japanese artists. When I was able to afford simple tools and materials, I began sculpting food like doughnuts, cakes and lollipops. It was a lot of trial and error. I don’t think it’s difficult but you need to have a lot of patience and time to practise.”
From food, Lim migrated to more elaborate sculptures. “To be honest, I didn’t like doing food nor do I relate to them. One day, I passed by an old provision shop and thought it was quite beautiful because it reminded me of my childhood.”
She finally found her niche. “These are the things that inspire me and I wanted to inspire others the same way, and ignite in them deep love and nostalgia.”
Asked what it is about miniature art that had such a spell on her, the mechanical engineering graduate says: “To me, miniature art is a tiny 3D art where you shrink everything to the size of your palm. It tells a story with something that you can actually touch. It may be small but it attracts people with its details, and this is the thing that I find most interesting.”
She admits that she loves getting lost in her work. “I love spending days working on a sculpture. It has become so much a part of me, like eating and sleeping.”
One of her favourite artworks is a reconstruction of an old kopitiam in Lorong Panggung, KL. “I made it in 2018. I reconstructed
“I love spending days working on a sculpture. It has become so much a part of me, like eating and sleeping” —LIM PUI WAN
the 60-year-old Ho Kow kopitiam to reflect its original aesthetics. I’m happy that I did it because the place now has completely transformed into an Instagram spot. At least I have something to remember what it was like before.”
She hopes to hold a solo exhibition soon. “I’m currently building a big enough portfolio for that. Besides that, I plan to join International Guild of Miniature Artisans to pick up some skills on specific techniques.”