March 15, 2023

Rendering Fernando Amorsolo’s great works of art in colorful LEGO® bricks mosaic was a project conceived by PinoyLUG – an accredited Filipino community of LEGO® users – at the start of the pandemic. Recreating historic art in contemporary form, the “Legolized” masterpieces are now hailed as a unique expression of Filipino pride. 

Three of the master’s works in LEGO bricks mosaic premiered at the Cultural Center of the Philippines as part of its commemorative program for the 50th anniversary of Amorsolo’s proclamation as National Artist in Visual Arts. They were “Dalagang Bukid” (Farm Maiden, 1937), “Bayanihan” (Filipinos Working Together, 1959); and “Early Traders” (Early Natives Dealing with Western Merchants, 1959). The exhibit was presented as a symbol of Filipino creativity manifested through the dynamic participation of people from all walks of life. 

Due to public clamor after the show’s month-long stint at the CCP, members of PinoyLUG brought the LEGO Bricks Mosaic exhibit on a road tour covering major cities in the country, reinforcing Amorsolo’s legacy as an artist and promoting interest in the art of bricks—the versatility of LEGO in building “beyond play.” For the whole of 2022, the Amorsolo in LEGO Bricks Exhibit toured museums and art establishments, and was displayed in the biggest malls, delighting children and mesmerizing adults with the sheer ingenuity, creativity, and skill in the recreation of Amorsolo’s magnificent paintings. 

For Leslie Araujo, PinoyLUG President and initiator of the project, what began as a dream in isolation during lockdown served as a moving force among his brick-loving teams, who welcomed the challenge with enthusiasm. From canvas to bricks, PinoyLUG members realized they were bridging the past and the present and embracing a world of possibilities. The group hopes that after the last stop of their exhibit in the country, Amorsolo in LEGO Bricks Mosaic will finally take its place among the world’s best creations at the LEGO House in Billund, Denmark.