Nathan Sawaya
Nathan Sawaya
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Nathan Sawaya is an American artist known for his work in LEGO bricks.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on February 16, 1975
Still active and alive as of this writing
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Nationality: American
Professions:
Artist
Sculptor
AuthorEarly Life and Background
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Nathan Sawaya was born on February 16, 1975, in New York City. Growing up, he was fascinated with art and LEGO bricks. He started working as an attorney but eventually pursued a career in fine arts.
Sawaya earned his MFA degree from Columbia University's School of the Arts. His interest in using everyday objects to create art led him to explore various mediums, including LEGO bricks. He is now considered one of the leading artists who work with this material.
Major Accomplishments
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Some of Sawaya's notable works include:
The Art of the Brick: This exhibition showcases over 100 pieces created using only LEGO bricks.
Chihuly at the de Young Museum: He was part of a team that designed an exhibit featuring Chihuly glass art.Notable Works or Actions
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Some notable works by Nathan Sawaya include:
"The Wall": A 15-foot-tall sculpture made from over 80,000 LEGO bricks.
* "The Yellow Submarine": Inspired by the Beatles song of the same name, this piece was part of an exhibit at the Liverpool Tate Museum.
Impact and Legacy
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Sawaya's work has been exhibited in galleries worldwide. His pieces often blend playfulness with thought-provoking themes. He uses LEGO bricks to create sculptures that are both visually stunning and intellectually engaging.
His art challenges traditional notions of fine art by using a medium considered primarily for children. Through his work, Sawaya encourages people to think creatively about the possibilities of everyday objects.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Nathan Sawaya's unique use of LEGO bricks has earned him recognition as one of the world's leading artists working with this material. His innovative approach to art-making and his ability to push boundaries have made him a widely quoted figure in discussions about creativity, innovation, and the role of art in society.
His TED Talks on "The Art of the Brick" and other platforms showcase his passion for using LEGO bricks as a creative medium. As an artist who has successfully combined art and entertainment, he offers insights into the power of imagination and the importance of taking risks in pursuing one's passions.
Sawaya's influence extends beyond the art world, inspiring people to see the creative potential within everyday objects. His legacy is that of a pioneer who continues to challenge traditional notions of what constitutes fine art, encouraging others to do the same.
Quotes by Nathan Sawaya
Nathan Sawaya's insights on:
My work sells for £10,000-plus, but my most lucrative piece was a private project that was sold for more than six figures -dollars, that is. The process of the Lego can take weeks, months, or even days. Each one I deliver to specification to each gallery because they want them brought to them fully formed.
Art makes better humans, art is necessary in understanding the world and art makes people happy. Undeniably, art is not optional.
When people go to museums and see a sculpture made out of marble, they appreciate it but it's very doubtful that they will go home and have a slab of marble they can chip away at, but people do have LEGO. I don't have any LEGO specially made for me, all of the shapes, sizes and colours I use are available in stores so that if someone is inspired to create on their own, they can go and buy the very same bricks.
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.
I like using LEGO bricks as a medium because I enjoy seeing people’s reaction to artwork created from something with which they are familiar. …My goal is to elevate this simple plaything to a place it has never been before. I also appreciate the cleanliness of the LEGO® brick. The right angles. The distinct lines. But, from a distance, those right angles and distinct lines offer new perspectives, changing to curves.
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.
LEGO is universal. So many people enjoy it, from all different walks of life, all different ages, all different cultures. When I was in Africa, I had LEGO bricks with me and I met some people who had never heard of LEGO, they had never seen it before and yet as soon as I gave them a few bricks, they immediately got it.
I have realised that my worst day as an artist is still better than my best day as a lawyer.
The fact that you can take LEGO bricks from thirty years ago and they still snap together with the same new LEGO brick that comes out, I mean what type of product can span generations like that, there is something really special to it.
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.