While children often use LEGO bricks to build ferries, cars and people, artist Nathan Sawaya uses the tiny, colorful plastic pieces to recreate artistic masterpieces and create whimsical pieces of art.
His touring exhibit, called The Art of The Brick, is on display in downtown Tampa, Wednesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Sept. 4.
The exhibit, which has been billed by CNN as one of the world’s “Must See Exhibitions,” was brought to the region by Jeff and Penny Vinik, of the Vinik Family Foundation and is being presented to the public without charge.
An entire building, at 802 E. Whiting St., is devoted to the exhibit.
During a recent visit, both children and adults were having fun, as they made their way from room to room. As visitors went along, many began guessing how many LEGO pieces Sawaya used to complete a particular work.
Sawaya shares his story on a brief video at the beginning of the exhibit.
Before he began creating art works from LEGO bricks, he was a corporate lawyer in New York City, as well as an author.
Over time, he discovered that creating art from LEGO bricks was his calling.
He believes art is essential.
“Art makes better humans, art is necessary in understanding the world and art makes people happy. Undeniably, art is not optional,” says a quotation attributed to him on a sign in the exhibit.
He also hopes his work will inspire children to learn about art.
As he says on another sign in the gallery: “I first learned adjectives through School House Rock. I learned how to count to ten through Sesame Street. I learned about gravity through my Slinky. Imagine if a child learns about art history through LEGO!”
If you go:
The Art of the Brick
802 E. Whiting St., Tampa, 33602
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Exhibit ends on Sept. 4)
Admission is free. Metered parking and paid parking lots are available nearby.
Published August 2, 2017
