Nathan Sawaya
Nathan Sawaya
Nathan Sawayais an American-based artist who builds custom three-dimensional sculptures and large-scale mosaics from popular everyday items and is best known for his work with standard LEGO toy bricks. His art creations are commissioned by companies, charities, individuals, museums and galleries all over the world...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionSculptor
Date of Birth10 July 1973
CityColville, WA
CountryUnited States of America
artists budding days home needed office periods practicing sculpt until wire
What do young, budding artists do, but go to law school? I had creative periods now and again, but it wasn't until I was practicing law that I really needed a creative outlet. I'd come home from long days at the office and draw, paint, and sculpt from clay, wire - even candy.
art aspect blend connect corners creating curvy design enjoy forms lets medium nostalgic notice people sharp using
There's a fun, nostalgic aspect to Legos - people connect to the art on a different level. But it's also a medium that lets me design anything I can imagine. I especially enjoy creating curvy forms using rectangular pieces. Up close, you notice the sharp angles, but when you back away, the corners blend into curves.
art ended happened leaving practice practicing pursue time york
There was a time when I was practicing law in New York and I wanted to find something else to do. So I ended up leaving the practice of law to pursue my art and it just happened to be out of Lego bricks.
art brings buy exhibition gift hear nostalgia people seeing shop toy
I do hear from people at my exhibition about seeing these things made from this toy from their childhood, and it brings them back. They'll go and buy a set of Lego from the gift shop because of that nostalgia and seeing it at the art exhibition.
art exhibition history taken works
'The Art of the Brick' is an exhibition I've done where I've taken some works of art from art history and replicated them all out of Lego bricks.
art nobody piece
If I'm creating a free-form piece of art, I can make it look like anything I want, and nobody will say it's wrong.
art kids levels
One of the reasons I love using LEGO bricks is because it makes the art very relatable and accessible; folks can connect with the art almost on a different level because they have played with it or their kids have played with it.
art children home
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. But my goal with this exhibition when it first debuted in 2007 was to elevate this simple plaything to a place it has never been before.
artist lawyer worst
I have realised that my worst day as an artist is still better than my best day as a lawyer.
art years creating
Over the years I have learned that creating art has made me happy. I used to be a lawyer and I'm much happier being an artist.
art home creating
I'm trying to inspire as many people as I can. I want the viewer to enjoy the art and I want the whole family to have something to react to. I hope that folks go home and do a bit of doodling and creating on their own.
art people understanding
Art makes better humans, art is necessary in understanding the world and art makes people happy. Undeniably, art is not optional.
bricks creations heard people saw south
When I was in South Africa, I was meeting with people who never heard of Lego bricks. And yet, when I was like, 'Here they are,' they immediately got it. They saw the appeal, were snapping bricks and creating their little creations right there immediately.
academy award behind best earlier extra happy nominee oscar performance seen song special team version
The team behind 'The Lego Movie' approached me. They wanted to do something extra special for the Academy Award performance of best song nominee 'Everything is Awesome.' They had seen my earlier version of a Lego Oscar statue, and I was happy to take on the challenge.