A new art exhibit coming to Omaha on Friday features more than 85 sculptures made completely of Lego bricks.
The "Art of the Brick" exhibition is the creation of Nathan Sawaya. He tells NewsRadio 1110 KFAB many of the pieces are original creations, like an 18 foot long Tyrannosaurus Rex that he built using more than 80,000 Lego bricks. He has also re-imagined classic original classic like Van Gogh's "Starry Night."
There are castles and lifelike statues. Sawaya says there is a lot for everyone to see and he hopes the exhibit can be a source of inspiration for families to explore their creative side."I'm not saying they have to go home and build a giant dinosaur out of Lego bricks for months on end. But maybe it's finger painting with the kids, maybe a little doodling. Anything to explore a little creativity."
Sawaya says using a childhood toy for his artwork is something people can related to very easily. "You can go to the museum and see a marble statue. If you come home at night it's very rare people that have marble they can chip away at. But people have Lego bricks at home."
Sawaya tells NewsRadio 1110 KFAB he worked as a lawyer in New York City before he became a full-time Lego artist in 2004. His exhibit opens on Friday night downtown in the Capitol District and will run through February 19.
The cost is $20 for adults, $17.50 for children 12 and under and $18.50 for seniors and military.