Nathan Sawaya

New York sculptor Nathan Sawaya has become renowned in the modern art world for his groundbreaking fusion of pop art and surrealism in pieces comprised solely of LEGO® bricks. His most recent work represents a new phase of artistic expression within this medium, as he explores themes of identity. All his new sculpture is in one way or another autobiographical, addressing the issue of self through symbolism to express his surrealistic ideology.

Sawaya explains his shift in approach: “It could be said that this new exhibition is the antithesis of my previous work. It is an introspective show. By working with an unconventional medium, I work within the trappings of a self-imposed prison.” What results are gripping images rife with human emotion. Complex human figures are configured in forms of pure expressionism; at times ironic and other times fearlessly exposing the rawest elements of the human experience.

The sharp lines and angles of the LEGO®s add to this tension, the cleanliness of the medium muddied only by the fleeting nature of perspective. While shapes are distinctive and defined up close, when viewed at a distance, the mood is softened as marked lines change to curves and the overall effect becomes blurred. This speaks to greater truths involving the myth of stability, the persistence of transition, and the ever present metamorphoses we as humans undergo in every moment. In this way, Sawaya’s work centers on the phenomenon of how people and raw emotion are intertwined in everyday life.

Nathan’s remarkable sculpture, constructed entirely out of Lego bricks, can be found in public and corporate collections such as the National Marine Corps Museum, Neiman Marcus, New Orleans Public Library and The New York Times. His work has also been acquired by Donald Trump and musician Pete Wentz as well as numerous other private collections around the world.

RED: The LEGO ® Brick Sculpture of Nathan Sawaya
Reception: Thursday December 2, 2010 6-8 PM
Exhibition Dates: 11/23/2010 - 12/14/2010

Invitation to Nathan Sawaya's exhibition

View Nathan Sawaya's art for sale on Art-Mine.com

The Art Inside Plastic Bricks 45" x 15" x 21"" $5500 The Art Inside Plastic Bricks 45" x 15" x 21"" $5500	Cracking Up Plastic Bricks 32" x 33" x 15"" $8500 Cracking Up Sold Plastic Bricks 32" x 33" x 15"" $8500
Strength of Spirit Plastic Bricks 38" x 21" x 21"" $7500 Strength of Spirit Plastic Bricks 38" x 21" x 21"" $7500	The Courage Within Plastic Bricks 59" x 18" x 11"" $12500 The Courage Within Plastic Bricks 59" x 18" x 11"" $12500
Everlasting Plastic Bricks 42" x 34" x 12"" $10500 Everlasting Plastic Bricks 42" x 34" x 12"" $10500	Guarded Heart Plastic Bricks 47" x 19" x 10"" $4500 Guarded Heart Sold Plastic Bricks 47" x 19" x 10"" $4500
Trapped (one-third) Plastic Bricks Limited Edition of 10 8" x 10" x 6"" $1500 Trapped (one-third) Plastic Bricks Limited Edition of 10 8" x 10" x 6"" $1500	Ascension Plastic Bricks 64" x 14" x 16"" $6500 Ascension Plastic Bricks 64" x 14" x 16"" $6500
Goodbye Plastic Bricks 34" x 32" x 3"" $5000 Goodbye Plastic Bricks 34" x 32" x 3"" $5000	Trapped Plastic Bricks 23" x 28" x 16"" $8500 Trapped Plastic Bricks 23" x 28" x 16"" $8500
Kissing (half) Plastic Bricks Limited Edition of 10 14" x 11" x 10"" $2200 Kissing (half) Plastic Bricks Limited Edition of 10 14" x 11" x 10"" $2200	Pushing Against Plastic Bricks 96" x 30" x 20"" $10500 Pushing Against Plastic Bricks 96" x 30" x 20"" $10500
Please Do Touch Plastic Bricks 46" x 54" x 49"" $7500 Please Do Touch Plastic Bricks 46" x 54" x 49"" $7500	Kissing (full) Plastic Bricks 28" x 22" x 26"" $7500 Kissing (full) Sold Plastic Bricks 28" x 22" x 26"" $7500
Loves Me Not Plastic Bricks 60" x 22" x 18"" $18000 Loves Me Not Plastic Bricks 60" x 22" x 18"" $18000	Trapped (two-thirds) Plastic Bricks 16" x 22" x 13"" $4000 Trapped (two-thirds) Plastic Bricks 16" x 22" x 13"" $4000