Yellow by artist Nathan Sawaya. Photo courtesy of brickartist.com
The Art of the Brick®, a globally-touring exhibition of sculptures created entirely of LEGO® bricks, is now on display at the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach. The exhibit fills the museum’s entire two floors of gallery space, and one of the knowledgeable docents can point out the intricate – and often hidden – details in these incredible works of art.
Beginning Wednesday, August 3 and continuing through Wednesday, September 7, 2016, the museum will offer free, guided tours of the exhibit every Wednesday at 2 p.m. (Admission to the Museum is free; however, donations are encouraged.)
In The Art of the Brick, rated by CNN as one of the world’s “Must See Exhibitions,” New York-based artist Nathan Sawaya has crafted intriguing and thought-provoking contemporary sculptures using thousands and thousands of LEGO bricks. These range from everyday, recognizable objects – clouds, a tree, a dog, a pair of flip-flops – to complex human forms meant to inspire viewers to be unafraid of going against the grain to pursue their dreams.
Says Sawaya, “These works are very personal to me, since they reflect my growth as an artist as I strove to discover my creative identity. The Art of the Brick exhibition is accessible because it engages the child in all of us while simultaneously illuminating sophisticated and complex concepts. Everyone can relate to the medium since it is a toy that many children have at home.”
Like most young children, Sawaya started playing with LEGO at a young age. But unlike most, the artist never stopped building, creating and exploring his own imagination. The result has solidified his place in pop culture history as well as making an indelible mark on the art world.
The Art of the Brick has entertained and inspired millions of art enthusiasts from across the country and around the world. The exhibit will remain at the Art Museum through September 10. The Art Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free; however donations are encouraged.