# Graham Short

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**Graham George Short** (born 4 July 1946) is a [micro-artist](/source/Micro_miniature) and micro-[engraving](/source/Engraving) specialist from [Birmingham](/source/Birmingham), [England](/source/England).

## Early life and career

Graham Short was born on 4 July 1946[2] in [Birmingham](/source/Birmingham), [England](/source/England).

After leaving school with no qualifications at age 15, Short began a six-year apprenticeship at a stationery engraving company in [Birmingham](/source/Birmingham).[3] There, he learned copper-plate and steel die engraving techniques, producing embossed letterheads, business cards, and wedding invitations for the stationery trade.[4][5]

Following his apprenticeship, Short established a business in Birmingham's [Jewellery Quarter](/source/Jewellery_Quarter), creating stationery for clients including banks, royal palaces, and perfume companies.[6] In 1970, he began engraving the [Lord's Prayer](/source/Lord's_Prayer) onto the head of a pin, a project he completed in 2010. The piece was later displayed at the Art Lounge Gallery in Birmingham's [Mailbox shopping complex](/source/Mailbox_shopping_and_office_centre).[7]

Short's first fine art exhibition was held in 2011 at the Art Decor Gallery in [Whalley, Lancashire](/source/Whalley,_Lancashire).[8] Subsequent [solo exhibitions](/source/Solo_exhibition) were held at London's [Clarendon](/source/Clarendon_Shopping_Centre) Gallery and the Tony Huggins-Haig Galleries in [Kelso](/source/Kelso,_Washington).[9]

In 2012, he spent nine months engraving the phrase "Nothing is Impossible" along the sharp edge of a [Wilkinson Sword](/source/Wilkinson_Sword) razor blade, a project he titled *Cutting Edge*.[10] That same year, to mark [Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee](/source/Diamond_Jubilee_of_Elizabeth_II), he created a microscopic portrait of the Queen on a gold speck inserted into the eye of a needle.[11]

In 2019, the [Institute of Cancer Research](/source/Institute_of_Cancer_Research) (ICR) commissioned him to collaborate with Poet Laureate [Simon Armitage](/source/Simon_Armitage). Armitage's 51-word poem "Finishing It" was engraved onto a 20mm long x 10mm wide pill, which is permanently displayed at the ICR's Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery.[12]

Short partnered with watchmaker Brax La Rue in 2020, engraving a microscopic design concealed within the mechanism of one of their timepieces.[13]

In 2023, working with [The Forces Network](/source/British_Forces_Broadcasting_Service), he engraved the 405-letter [World War I](/source/World_War_I) poem "[In Flanders Fields](/source/In_Flanders_Fields)" onto a fragment of metal scraped from his grandfather's [Coldstream Guards](/source/Band_of_the_Coldstream_Guards) cap badge, fitting the text within the eye of a needle.[14]

In August 2024, Short collaborated with Chinese electronics company [Honor](/source/Honor_(brand)) to engrave a 166-word message—visible only under a microscope—on the side of the Magic V3 foldable phone, ahead of a global product launch in [Germany](/source/Germany). The text included a playful critique of competitor [Samsung](/source/Samsung).[15]

## Exhibitions

In November 2012, at 'The Writers Collection' at Clarendon Fine Art Gallery, Mayfair, [London](/source/London), Short unveiled 'Fry's Delight', a piece created in collaboration with TV Personality [Stephen Fry](/source/Stephen_Fry). This piece was later sold at [Sotheby's](/source/Sotheby's) in London to raise funds for [English PEN](/source/English_PEN),[16] a charity that supports imprisoned writers around the world.[17]

In October 2014, the 'Love, Life and Hope Exhibition' was held at Platinum Galleries Northallerton.[18] This included a viewing of '[In Flanders Fields](/source/In_Flanders_Fields)', the [First World War](/source/First_World_War) poem written by Lieutenant-Colonel [John McCrae](/source/John_McCrae).[19]

In 2021, 'The Tiniest Art in Town' exhibition opened at the Soden Collection in [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury).[5]

As of July 2024, Graham Short's microscopic portrait of [William Shakespeare](/source/William_Shakespeare) is on permanent display at the Shakespeare Centre in [Stratford on Avon](/source/Stratford_on_Avon). The portrait is engraved on a gold disc inside the eye of a needle.[20]

## Religious pieces

From 2011 to 2013, Short created 'Five Pillars of Islam', a collection of nine [calligraphic](/source/Calligraphic) pieces fusing [English](/source/English_language) and [Arabic](/source/Arabic). The collection was displayed in [Birmingham Central Mosque](/source/Birmingham_Central_Mosque).[21]

In June 2013, Short was invited by Indian artist Nikki Anand to introduce her 'Euphoria' solo exhibition to the British public for the first time at the [Nehru Centre, London](/source/Nehru_Centre,_London).[22]

In June 2015, after four months of work, Short completed the engraving of the [Khanda](/source/Khanda_(Sikh_symbol)),[23] on the point of a needle.

In August 2017, the 'Faith Exhibition' was shown in Kelso, [Scotland](/source/Scotland), before touring Britain. Miniature engravings representing [Sikh](/source/Sikhs), [Islamic](/source/Islam), [Hindu](/source/Hindus), and [Christian](/source/Christians) religions were displayed. 'Otche Nash', the main prayer of the Russian Orthodox Church - engraved on the head of a gold pin measuring 2mm across, was shown to the public for the first time.[24]

In April 2019, the '99 names of Allah' were engraved on the head of a gold pin measuring 2mm across. All 99 names are taken from verses of the Quran to describe Allah's attributes. This was a four-month project.[25]

In 2022, Short engraved a nativity scene in the eye of a needle. This was exhibited at a Nativity Festival at [St Laurence Church](/source/St_Laurence's_Church,_Northfield), Northfield, Birmingham.[26]

In January 2023, he completed The Lord's Prayer, engraved on a speck of gold and inserted into the eye of a needle.[27]

## Jane Austen £5 note Giveaway

In December 2016, Short engraved a portrait of [Jane Austen](/source/Jane_Austen) on the transparent section of four polymer banknotes. Quotes from [Emma](/source/Emma_(novel)), [Pride and Prejudice](/source/Pride_and_Prejudice), and [Mansfield Park](/source/Mansfield_Park) were also engraved onto the notes, encircling Jane's portrait. These were then put into circulation.[28] The four notes were distributed across areas of Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.[29]

The £5 note, found in Northern Ireland, was sent anonymously to the Tony Huggins-Haig gallery in Kelso by the finder, who asked that the note be given to a children's charity. It was auctioned in London in December 2017 for £5,000. The proceeds were donated to the BBC [Children in Need](/source/Children_in_Need) charity. The auctioneers Morton and Eden, waived their fees and donated their portion to the same charity.[30][31]

## Other ventures

### Swimming

In 2001, Short won the 200-meter butterfly at the European Masters Championships in [Mallorca](/source/Mallorca). He broke the British and European record in the 1500m Freestyle in the first session of the ASA National Masters Championships 2016 at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, swimming 22:04.97 to claim gold in the 70–74 years age group, nearly four seconds under the previous record time of 22:08.91.[32]

### Acting

In 2019, Short played Ned in the short film *Ned & Me*. The film, sponsored by the British Film Industry, was screened at the 2020 'This Is England Festival' in Rouen, France, and was accepted for The Aesthetica Film Festival in York, a BAFTA Qualifying Festival for British short films. At the 2021 FICBUEU International Film Festival in Spain, Short was awarded 'Best Actor' for his portrayal of Ned in 'Ned & Me'.[33]

In 2023, Graham Short's second film, *Dog Run*, written and directed by Lorna Nickson Brown, received an honorable mention for ‘Best European Short Film' at the Catania Gold Elephant Film Festival in Italy.[34]

## References

1. ["Graham Short enthrals the Ledbury and District U3A with his expertise and dedication"](https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/15041594.graham-short-enthrals-the-ledbury-and-district-u3a-with-his-expertise-and-dedication/). *Hereford Times*. Retrieved 2025-04-16.

1. [""Graham Short Artist, the hands of genius""](https://www.platinumgalleries.co.uk/Graham%20Short%20Originals%20Page.htm). *www.platinumgalleries.co.uk*. Retrieved 2025-03-04.

1. ["Pulse-slowing drugs, botox, and working between heartbeats: The extreme life of a 76-year-old micro-engraver"](https://news.sky.com/story/pulse-slowing-drugs-botox-and-working-between-heartbeats-the-extreme-life-of-a-76-year-old-micro-engraver-12762744). *Sky News*. Retrieved 2025-01-20.

1. ["After leaving school at the age of 15 with no qualifications%2C Graham Short signed up to a six-year apprenticeship at a stationery engraving company in Birmingham. He learnt the art of copper-plate and steel die engraving for the stationery trade"](https://www.bing.com/search?q=After+leaving+school+at+the+age+of+15+with+no+qualifications%2C+Graham+Short+signed+up+to+a+six-year+apprenticeship+at+a+stationery+engraving+company+in+Birmingham.+He+learnt+the+art+of+copper-plate+and+steel+die+engraving+for+the+stationery+trade&form=ANNTH1&refig=60E9A08F316049E8879E4D3BA5701AA7&pc=LCTS)

1. ["Hand of Genius I Graham Short Micro-Artist I Shrewsbury"](https://www.myshrewsbury.co.uk/blog/hof-genius-graham-short/)

1. ["Inside the studio of the "micro-engraver" who works between heartbeats to keep his hand steady"](https://qz.com/645382/inside-the-studio-of-the-micro-engraver-who-works-between-heartbeats-to-keep-his-hand-steady). *Quartz*. 2016-03-25. Retrieved 2025-01-20.

1. ["Mailbox Birmingham"](https://mailboxlife.com/). Retrieved 2024-09-03.

1. ["Exhibition by man who engraved Lord's Prayer on pinhead"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-12403014). *BBC News*. 9 February 2011.

1. ["Graham Short Kelso exhibition sells out for genius engraver"](http://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/13541479.Graham_Short__Kelso_exhibition_sells_out__for_genius_engraver/). *Border Telegraph*. 4 August 2013.

1. ["World's smallest engraving on the edge of a razor blade"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8315313/Worlds-smallest-engraving-on-the-edge-of-a-razor-blade.html). 10 February 2011. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110211102636/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8315313/Worlds-smallest-engraving-on-the-edge-of-a-razor-blade.html) 2011-02-11 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["BBC Radio 4 - Saturday Live, Mark Steel, Graham Short's micro-engraving - Portrait of the Queen engraved on a speck of gold in the eye of a needle"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03g4yd0/p03g4xdj)

1. ["Poet Laureate's 'poem on a pill' cuts cancer down to size - The Institute of Cancer Research, London"](https://www.icr.ac.uk/news-archive/poet-laureate-s-poem-on-a-pill-cuts-cancer-down-to-size). *www.icr.ac.uk*

1. ["World famous Micro artist hides miniature paw print within Brax la Rue timepiece"](https://prdistribution.com/news/world-famous-micro-artist-hides-miniature-paw-print-within-brax-la-rue-timepiece.html). *prdistribution.com*

1. ["Engraver of microscopic Remembrance poem says it symbolises unseen sacrifices"](https://www.forces.net/heritage/remembrance/engraver-microscopic-remembrance-poem-says-it-symbolises-unseen-sacrifices). 12 November 2023.

1. ["HONOR does something one in five Europeans are not comfortable doing, with apology to Samsung owners"](https://business-review.eu/tech/telecom/honor-does-something-one-in-five-europeans-are-not-comfortable-doing-with-apology-to-samsung-owners-267447)

1. ["Stephen Fry donates pen to English PEN"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160503090042/https://www.englishpen.org/event/stephen-fry-donates-pen-to-english-pen/). *English PEN*. Archived from [the original](https://www.englishpen.org/event/stephen-fry-donates-pen-to-english-pen/) on 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2016-03-17.

1. ["English PEN"](https://www.englishpen.org/). *English PEN*. Retrieved 17 December 2024.

1. ["events page with philip gray, doug hyde, fabian perez and henderson cisz"](http://www.platinumgalleries.co.uk/new%20events.htm)

1. ["In Flanders Fields"](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47380/in-flanders-fields). *Poetry Foundation*. Retrieved 17 December 2024.

1. ["World's smallest portrait of Shakespeare goes on display in Stratford"](https://www.stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/worlds-smallest-portrait-of-shakespeare-goes-on-display-in-stratford-52508/)

1. ["Graham Short – Just Masterpieces"](http://www.justmasterpieces.co.uk/graham-short/). Retrieved 2025-03-04.

1. “Euphoria” Global Woman Tour: [“Euphoria” Global Woman Tour](http://www.prabashipost.com/e-15-euphoria.aspx#.VvZ8JvEn-je) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160326022848/http://www.prabashipost.com/e-15-euphoria.aspx#.VvZ8JvEn-je) 2016-03-26 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: March 26, 2016

1. ["The Khanda – Engraved On The Point Of A Needle - Sikh Entrepreneur"](http://www.sikhentrepreneur.com/the-khanda-engraved-on-the-point-of-a-needle/). *Sikh Entrepreneur*. 26 June 2015.

1. Short, Graham (2019-05-04). ["Otche Nash - The Lord's Prayer in Russian"](https://www.graham-short.com/post/otche-nash-the-lord-s-prayer-in-russian). *Graham Short*. Retrieved 2025-03-04.

1. Team, T. M. V. (April 15, 2019). ["Micro-artist creates smallest engraving in the world of the 99 names of Allah - TMV"](https://themuslimvibe.com/western-muslim-culture/art/micro-artist-creates-smallest-engraving-in-the-world-of-the-99-names-of-allah)

1. ["Tiny Nativity scene in the eye of a needle on display in Birmingham"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-63774581). *BBC News*. 27 November 2022.

1. ["Tiny gold Lord's Prayer engraved in eye of needle by Birmingham artist"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-64467177). *BBC News*. 31 January 2023.

1. ["Rare £5 note worth £50,000 sent in Christmas card"](https://news.sky.com/story/rare-5-note-worth-50-000-sent-in-christmas-card-10712029)

1. ["What happened to the fivers 'worth £50,000'?"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-42253418). *BBC News*. 8 December 2017.

1. ["Engraved £5 makes thousands for charity"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-42285009). *BBC News*. December 8, 2017.

1. ["Jane Austen £5 note 'worth £50,000' spent in Blackwood"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-38301860). *BBC News*. December 13, 2016.

1. ["Graham Short lowers 1500m European record | ASA Masters 2016"](https://www.swimming.org/masters/graham-short-breaks-european-record-sheffield/). *Masters Swimming Hub*. October 28, 2016.

1. ["Ned & Me"](https://filmhubmidlands.org/make/short-film-funding/our-short-film-fund-slate/ned-me-2/). *Film Hub Midlands*. Retrieved 2025-04-06.

1. ["Dog Run"](https://www.lornanicksonbrown.com/dog-run). *Lorna Nickson Brown*. Retrieved 2025-04-06.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Graham Short](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Short) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Short?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.