TYLER, TX.- The storied toy building of countless childhood creations take form as fine art with the unique vision of Nathan Sawaya in The Art of the Brick®, the most recent major exhibition on view at the Tyler Museum of Art. The show continues through September 13 at the Museum, 1300 S. Mahon Ave. on the Tyler Junior College main campus.

The Art of the Brick features more than 20 large-scale sculptures crafted only from LEGO® bricks by Sawaya. Like most young kids, Sawaya started playing with LEGO at a young age. But unlike most kids, Sawaya never stopped building, creating and exploring his own imagination. The award-winning artist has catapulted the iconic LEGO brick into an art medium all its own, transforming this construction toy into awe-inspiring and thought-provoking sculptures. The global touring exhibition that emerged from Sawaya’s unique perspective is the first of its kind to focus exclusively on LEGO bricks as an art medium, and has broken attendance records around the world.

“I use LEGO bricks as my medium because I enjoy seeing people’s reactions to artwork created from something with which they are familiar. Everyone can relate to it since it is a toy that many children have at home,” Sawaya said. “I want to elevate this simple plaything to a place that it has never been before. I want to elevate this simple plaything to a place it has never been before. I also appreciate the cleanliness of the medium. The right angles. The distinct lines. As so often in life, it is a matter of perspective. Up close, the shape of the brick is distinctive. But from a distance, those right angles and distinct lines change to curves.”

“The inspiration for hosting this exhibition came from Mary John Spence, one of the most giving and compassionate patrons of the arts Tyler has ever seen,” TMA Executive Director Chris Leahy said. “Mary John was an original Trustee of the Museum when we started in 1971, and her primary focus always has been what is central to our vision: improving the lives of the children in our community. With that in mind, she generously is partnering with us as Presenting Sponsor for The Art of the Brick.”

Sawaya was born in Colville, Wash., and raised in Veneta, Ore. He attended New York University, and lives and works between his two studios located in New York City and Los Angeles. Since his first solo exhibition, Sawaya's artwork has grabbed the attention of art critics and pop culture novices alike. His artwork has been shown in major art institutions throughout the world, and included in numerous prominent private and public collections. Sawaya is the recipient of numerous awards and honors recognizing his artwork and cultural achievements. In 2014, with the belief "art is not optional," he founded the Art Revolution Foundation for the purpose of making art a priority in schools and homes. His speaking engagements include Google Zeitgeist, TEDx, Yahoo! and the Clinton Library.