Bricking it: Immersive Lego artworks comes to London

More than a million Lego bricks have been painstakingly assembled into an "immersive exhibition" in east London.

Famous artworks, including the Mona Lisa and Michelangelo's David, have been reconstructed in Lego, alongside a six-metre Tyrannosaurus Rex.

The touring show The Art of the Brick has been described as "the most elaborate display of Lego art ever".

Artist Nathan Sawaya, a former lawyer from New York, said he was "very excited" to bring it to London.

The LEGO Group is a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. Founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, the company has passed from father to son and is now owned by Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, a grandchild of the founder.

The name 'LEGO' is an abbreviation of the two Danish words "leg" and "godt", meaning "play well".

The brick in its present form was launched in 1958. The interlocking principle of its tubes makes it unique and offers unlimited building possibilities.

One of Sawaya's most recognisable pieces is Yellow - first created more than 10 years ago from 11,000 individual yellow bricks.

It depicts a human figure ripping open its own chest.

He said: "I was letting everything out, moving from the safe corporate world. It was a difficult time. Doing the work was therapeutic."

Organisers said visitors to the exhibition will be able to use the "play and build" area to explore their creativity, "while also experiencing both familiar pieces for art-fans and pieces exploring childhood fun and emotions".

The exhibition, which comprises more than 100 works, opens on Wednesday 6 March at The Boiler House on (obviously) Brick Lane.

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