Nathan Sawaya Quotes

Powerful Nathan Sawaya for Daily Growth

About Nathan Sawaya

Nathan Sawaya, a globally acclaimed contemporary artist, was born on February 16, 1973, in Toronto, Canada. Known primarily for his work with LEGO bricks, Sawaya's unique artistic style has captured the imagination of millions worldwide. Inspired by his childhood passion for LEGO toys, Sawaya pursued a law degree at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada. However, the lure of art was too strong, and he eventually followed his heart into the creative world. After working as a corporate attorney in New York City for five years, Sawaya made the bold decision to quit his job and become a full-time artist. Sawaya's breakthrough came in 2003 when he was invited to participate in the Art of the Brick exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This marked the beginning of his successful career as an artist, using LEGO bricks as his primary medium. His works, such as "Yellow" and "The Pipeline," showcase intricate detail, innovative design, and a profound exploration of themes like humanity, mortality, and the human condition. In 2013, Sawaya debuted The Art of LEGO at the Brooklyn Children's Museum in New York City, which later toured globally. His works can now be found in private collections around the world, including those of Bill Gates and the LEGO Group. Nathan Sawaya continues to push the boundaries of LEGO art, challenging perceptions and inspiring a new generation of artists. His biography serves as a testament to following one's passion, regardless of the traditional path, and demonstrating that creativity knows no bounds.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Creativity is not just about being original; it's about using what you have in a new way."

The quote by Nathan Sawaya emphasizes that creativity is not solely about inventing something entirely new, but rather it's about finding innovative ways to utilize existing resources or ideas. This perspective highlights the importance of resourcefulness, adaptability, and thinking outside the box in the creative process. It encourages us to see familiar things from unique angles, fostering a mindset that values transformation over creation ex-nihilo.


"The LEGO brick doesn't have to be just a toy, it can be a medium for art."

This quote suggests that the humble LEGO brick is not confined to its traditional role as a toy, but it can also serve as a tool or medium for artistic expression. In other words, by using LEGO bricks creatively, one can transform them from simple playthings into art pieces, thereby challenging conventional perceptions and pushing the boundaries of what can be considered art.


"Art is not always about what something is; it's about what it can become."

This quote by Nathan Sawaya emphasizes the transformative power of art. It suggests that art has the ability to transcend its initial form, transforming into something more profound or meaningful than its original state. This idea encourages artists to think creatively and innovatively, utilizing their mediums not just for replication but for interpretation, exploration, and imagination. Essentially, it's a call to artists to push the boundaries of what is expected, unlock new possibilities, and create something that goes beyond the mere representation of reality.


"I like the idea of taking something familiar and making it strange."

This quote suggests that Nathan Sawaya appreciates the process of transforming common or ordinary things into something unusual or thought-provoking. By doing so, he challenges our perception and invites us to see the world from a fresh perspective. This technique can stimulate creativity, provoke questions, and deepen our understanding and appreciation of everyday objects.


"The challenge for me is finding the balance between realism and abstraction."

This quote by Nathan Sawaya underscores his artistic pursuit to harmoniously blend two fundamental aspects of visual expression: realism and abstraction. Realism represents the depiction of objects or scenes as they appear in reality, while abstraction is about using color, form, and line to create a non-representational image or idea. Sawaya's challenge lies in achieving a delicate balance between these two artistic approaches to create captivating, thought-provoking, and visually engaging artworks that resonate with viewers.


So many people have asked me about getting their own LEGO Oscar that I submitted it to LEGO Ideas so that everyone has the ability to get one.

- Nathan Sawaya

Own, Everyone, Oscar, Submitted

I was looking to explore the theme of good and evil, so what better inspiration than the comics? I'd developed a relationship with DC and Warner Bros. when I donated a sculpture of Catwoman to the 'We Can Be Heroes' campaign a few years ago. That's what started it.

- Nathan Sawaya

Inspiration, Donated, Comics, Warner Bros

'The Art of the Brick' is an exhibition I've done where I've taken some works of art from art history and replicated them all out of Lego bricks.

- Nathan Sawaya

Some, Bricks, Exhibition, Brick

What do young, budding artists do, but go to law school? I had creative periods now and again, but it wasn't until I was practicing law that I really needed a creative outlet. I'd come home from long days at the office and draw, paint, and sculpt from clay, wire - even candy.

- Nathan Sawaya

Young, Candy, Needed, Law School

I've made a bit of a career taking daunting projects out of Lego. I've done things like a dinosaur skeleton and stuff like that.

- Nathan Sawaya

Career, Like, Projects, Daunting

My work sells for £10,000-plus, but my most lucrative piece was a private project that was sold for more than six figures -dollars, that is. The process of the Lego can take weeks, months, or even days. Each one I deliver to specification to each gallery because they want them brought to them fully formed.

- Nathan Sawaya

Private, Each One, Weeks, Formed

There's a fun, nostalgic aspect to Legos - people connect to the art on a different level. But it's also a medium that lets me design anything I can imagine. I especially enjoy creating curvy forms using rectangular pieces. Up close, you notice the sharp angles, but when you back away, the corners blend into curves.

- Nathan Sawaya

Blend, Angles, Away, Forms

I split my commission and personal work about 50 per cent each. It is important to get that balance in life.

- Nathan Sawaya

Work, About, Cent, Commission

Kids can't build a marble statue at home. But I've had parents tell me that, after an exhibit, their kids immediately dug out their Lego kits and disappeared for three days.

- Nathan Sawaya

Tell, Statue, Had, Disappeared

The team behind 'The Lego Movie' approached me. They wanted to do something extra special for the Academy Award performance of best song nominee 'Everything is Awesome.' They had seen my earlier version of a Lego Oscar statue, and I was happy to take on the challenge.

- Nathan Sawaya

Happy, Behind, Movie, Extra

I see the world in rectangles. If I am talking to someone, I find myself analysing their face, working out how to recreate it in bricks.

- Nathan Sawaya

Myself, Bricks, Analysing, Recreate

When I was in South Africa, I was meeting with people who never heard of Lego bricks. And yet, when I was like, 'Here they are,' they immediately got it. They saw the appeal, were snapping bricks and creating their little creations right there immediately.

- Nathan Sawaya

Here, South, Immediately, Creations

I am confined to the Lego palate. I don't paint the bricks. I stick with what Lego has made. And the idea behind that is I do want to hopefully inspire kids to go home and create on their own. And if I do, I want them to be able to buy those very same bricks I use. So I don't alter the bricks; I just use what's provided.

- Nathan Sawaya

Behind, Very, Confined, Hopefully

I'm an independent artist, but I do have a good business relationship with Lego, since I'm a unique customer. They're aware of what I'm doing. A painter may not have a relationship with a paint maker, but there's only one company that makes Lego.

- Nathan Sawaya

Business, Doing, Independent, Customer

I think watching Channing Tatum caress his Lego Oscar statue will be something I won't forget. Even if I try.

- Nathan Sawaya

Think, I Think, Oscar, Caress

I have about 4 million Lego bricks. And then a few million in storage in case something comes up. I still pay for them. I buy my bricks just like everyone else. It's by far my biggest capital expense.

- Nathan Sawaya

Buy, Capital, About, Storage

There was a time when I was practicing law in New York and I wanted to find something else to do. So I ended up leaving the practice of law to pursue my art and it just happened to be out of Lego bricks.

- Nathan Sawaya

Practice, Something Else, Leaving

If I'm creating a free-form piece of art, I can make it look like anything I want, and nobody will say it's wrong.

- Nathan Sawaya

Art, Will, Like, Wrong

I do hear from people at my exhibition about seeing these things made from this toy from their childhood, and it brings them back. They'll go and buy a set of Lego from the gift shop because of that nostalgia and seeing it at the art exhibition.

- Nathan Sawaya

Gift, Buy, Shop, Toy

I am an artist who works with Lego.

- Nathan Sawaya

I Am, Artist, Works, Lego

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