Brick by Brick International LEGO® Exhibition Opens at Gracefield

An exciting new exhibition opens at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries on 1 October.
Brick by Brick gathers the work of 18 artists, designers and photographers from around the world who use LEGO® bricks as their medium or inspiration. Using this simple plastic construction block as their starting point, they have created stunning, thought provoking and often humorous artworks which will appeal to art enthusiasts and LEGO® fans alike.

About the Artists: Toronto based artist Ekow Nimako,(image) began using LEGO® bricks in his professional practice in 2014 and has since cultivated a unique approach to sculpting this iconic medium. Comprised of black bricks only, Nimako will be exhibiting five captivating artworks, which reference mythology, West African proverbs and afrofuturism.

Internationally renowned artist Michael Brennand-Wood has created four stunning artworks especially for this exhibition. Using a range of colours, shapes and sizes of bricks, Michael has created a series of abstract montages which have a mesmerising appeal to them.
Artist David Turner from Belfast, Northern Ireland, will be exhibiting his LEGO® firearms installation, which consists of 19 replica guns. This work makes reference to his childhood and adolescence spent in Northern Ireland during the time of ‘The Troubles’.

Collectively known as The Little Artists, John Cake and Darren Neave collaborated to replicate a series of well-known contemporary artworks and personalities using LEGO® bricks. Look out for Damien Hirst, Rachel Whiteread and Jake and Dinos Chapman.

Brazilian photographer Valentino Fialdini has created photographs which show a set of empty rooms and corridors. Using specialist photography and lighting techniques, Fialdini tricks the viewer’s eye in to thinking that these miniature LEGO® rooms are life-sized.
‘Eat My Bricks’ is a collaboration between German artists Michael Feindura and Soren Grochau who use LEGO® mini-figures to create large scale, humorous photographs, often with social and political commentary at their heart.

American born artist Janet Curley Cannon, who is now based in Berkshire, will be exhibiting her artwork ‘Not on the High Street Anymore’. This installation was constructed using her husband’s childhood LEGO® bricks and makes reference to the demise of the UK’s high street.

Andy Ferguson, Chair of the Communities Committee says: “This is a highly entertaining exhibition which appeals to all ages – such amazing creative uses of this familiar brick.”

John Martin, Vice-chair adds “we are lucky to have this show here in Dumfries and hope everyone has chance to enjoy this free exhibition which runs right up until mid-January. It’s not to be missed!”

Inspired by the wide range of artworks on show try our free gallery quizzes (supplied with a free pencil for you to take away!) and join our online building competitions with three different themes and age groups and invited judges including Castle Douglas specialist, Callum Winspear of United Bricks.

The Brick by Brick exhibition is open at Gracefield Gallery 2, Edinburgh Road, Dumfries from Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, plus Wednesday evening 5-8.30pm and the three Sundays of the October school holiday from 12-3pm. As numbers are limited to meet with guidelines so please pre-book a time slot at www.dgculture.co.uk or all the Midsteeple box office who can book a spot for you on 01387 253383. Admission free.

20/21 Visual Arts Centre is based in Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire, and operated by North Lincolnshire Council, supported by the Arts Council of England. Participating artists are: The Little Artists, David Hughes, David Turner, Jason Freeny, Ekow Nimako, Janet Curley Cannon, Hannah Gibson, Cole Blaq, Little Big Art, Zino, Eat My Bricks, Samsofy, Michael Brennand-Wood, James Paterson, Valentino Fialdini, Agabag, AME 72 and Jonathan Rolph.

LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorise, endorse or otherwise support this exhibition or related events. The LEGO Group does not accept responsibility for any unforeseen outcomes linked to this exhibition or related events.

Gracefield is run by Dumfries & Galloway Council and aims to present a wide selection of local, national and international visual art and craft with a changing programme of exhibitions and events. Gracefield also present exhibitions from its own art collection and supports local group shows including the Dumfries Camera Club and D&G Fine Art Society – for more information, email us at [email protected].