Creative Capital: The Singapore brick artist who built a business using Lego
One of the TV shows that my children and I binge-watched last yr was Lego Masters.
All of my kids love Lego, and we accept a wide range of it, from boxes of Duplo to more circuitous kits for older kids.
The kids were amazed and astounded past the creations of the brick artists competing on the show. It fuelled a passion and love for the medium and opened their eyes to possibilities that they hadn't considered prior to watching the show.
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Lego is a pretty amazing medium. And while I knew that Lego schools for kids existed, I did not know we had professional person brick artists here in Singapore.
The about prominent of them must be 41-yr-former Jeffrey Kong.
The former writer and editor is the founder of Artisan Bricks, a Lego consultancy services concern that does everything from creating kits to running workshops and creating installations for corporate clients.
HI, JEFFREY. WERE You lot INTO LEGO AS A KID OR WAS THIS A PASSION THAT ONLY Adult IN YOUR ADULT LIFE?
I only started creating with this medium in my 30s, during a difficult time in my life. It was and then that I discovered that Lego had created a free brick design software. I tried it out for fun and showed a few friends my designs. When they started asking me, "Practice you lot sell this?" and "Could you teach me how to design that?", I idea I could do this artistic business on the side. I started to accept commissioned piece of work and later effectually three years, this became a full-time business.
TELL ME WHAT SERVICES ARTISAN BRICKS PROVIDES.
Deputed sculptures and murals, custom building kits – with Lego parts and instructions for you to build information technology yourself – workshops and squad-building events, and design services.
ARE THERE OTHER PROFESSIONAL BRICK ARTISTS IN SINGAPORE? IF In that location ARE, Practice YOU GUYS HANG OUT? IS In that location A Customs?
There are recognised Lego User Groups (LUGs) run by adult fans of Lego (AFOLs) who organise public events – the nearly prominent being Titans Creations Singapore, which organises the Singapore Brickfest – and these are the usual platforms on which the local builder community meets. I am much more inspired by artists who work with different media, such as wood, clay and paper-thin, and especially those who create miniatures, so I encounter them whenever I get the chance.
WHAT DRAWS YOU TO LEGO? WHAT'S THE APPEAL?
The humble building brick is a powerful medium for creating art, because yous do not demand special training or equipment to put bricks together. So, this medium makes art accessible to everyone. This too ways everyone can tell their own story with bricks.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HARDEST PROJECT TO DATE?
The about challenging projects tend to be those with the tightest deadlines. I did a metropolis scene with local landmarks for a merchandise show; that was tough simply very fulfilling. Building kits are also challenging because I demand to residuum aesthetics with the ease of building for the average builder. A kit I designed for a local church is a really good example of that. I was very satisfied with how that turned out.
WHEN SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW You HEARS THAT YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL BRICK ARTIST, WHAT'S THE USUAL REACTION?
Usually, "Wow! I didn't know you could brand a living by playing with bricks!"
AND WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION Most WHAT You DO?
That I stay in my studio and practice aught but play with bricks all mean solar day. I prefer to do lots of research and think of means to best tell the story, even earlier I touch on a single brick. This usually involves making several sketches and talking to people to get a better idea of the discipline. For me the pattern and conceptualisation takes up a lot more time than the actual building.
HOW Hard HAS It BEEN TO BUILD ARTISAN BRICKS Equally A SUSTAINABLE Concern?
When I showtime started out, I did everything myself – sometimes I got family unit members to help – but this put a limit on the size and number of projects I could take on. Now, I am fortunate to work with trusted business partners who back up me with production for larger projects, then that I can focus on the design and creative aspects. It took me years to figure out what about clients want, and the learning is never finished as every projection is different. I am still learning on the job as I go.
YOUR PROFESSIONAL Groundwork IS AS AN EDITOR AND WRITER. DO YOU FIND SIMILARITIES Betwixt THAT Piece of work AND YOUR WORK IN LEGO?
Yeah, many! The intent is yet to tell a story, just that I use bricks instead of words and pictures. Doing enquiry, talking to people and choosing what details to include – I am all the same doing all these things that I used to do in my publishing work. I also dearest the clean and uncomplicated layouts of the publications I used to work on, and I believe this shows in my work.
DO YOU ALSO TEACH CLASSES?
Yes. I love conducting workshops, especially for our students and our seniors. Back in 2022 I did a series of public workshops for My Queenstown that was supported by the National Arts Council, and for i of the workshops, we built the at present-demolished Forfar House. The all-time part was when one of the participants came and told me she used to live there and how much this meant to her. Workshops with the People'due south Association are also great because folks from all walks of life come together to have some fun building with bricks.
MY KIDS AND I Dearest WATCHING THE LEGO MASTERS Contest Idiot box SHOW. ARE COMPETITIONS A Large THING FOR BRICK ARTISTS Effectually THE World?
If y'all are starting out, competitions could be a useful thing. The first one I won was in 2022 when I was starting out, and since and so I've won a few more. What is perhaps more important is when you lot go featured on mainstream media and The Brothers Brick, which is the best Lego blog on the spider web. Information technology is a bang-up award to be represented there equally a local artist, with many creations that are local and dear to my heart.
WHAT'S YOUR DREAM BUILD?
Anything that can bring joy to people when they see it, or when they build it. It demand non be something large – it could be small and wacky, like some piffling nutrient magnet kits I designed previously. If it tin can bring a smile to your face, I've done my task.
IS THERE A VISION FOR THE Company You lot HAVE Even so TO Attain Simply ARE WORKING TOWARDS? Any Exciting PLANS FOR 2022 THAT YOU CAN SHARE?
More workshops! Because spreading the joy of the brick is something I really love to do. With the current state of affairs, we need to accommodate with online workshops. I likewise desire to practice more work to spread cheer to those who demand it the most. I recently helped a 6-year-erstwhile boy with spinal muscular atrophy build his dream skyscraper. That was fulfilling on so many levels. I endeavour, whenever possible, to share my arts and crafts with kids who need a little joy in their lives.
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