You've seen LEGO minifigurines, those yellow humans that inhabit every imaginable LEGO universe. But what would happen if they magically appeared in some of the world's most famous paintings? Italian artist Stefano Bolcato fulfills this fantasy with his clever series People.
These oil on canvas works are populated by little LEGO friends taking over iconic artwork. From Renaissance masters to Pop Art geniuses, Bolcato has it all covered. For instance, Frida Kahlo's iconic Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird is cleverly twisted on its head in the Italian artist's rendition. The minifig's mournful eyes match Kahlo's haunting gaze, not to mention her iconic eyebrows.
It's not Bolcato's first go at LEGO art. He's known for his paintings using LEGO people; it's a practice he started due to his childhood love of this classic toy. “LEGO were always my favorite toy as a child. The fascination is a holdover from my childhood that I brought into adulthood,” Bolcato shares. “One day I thought about how the figures could become characters, and that they would have the ideal features to take on a story and tell it effectively.”
Mixing classic and contemporary, both in technique and theme, Bolcato was invited by the Archeological Museum of Salerno in Italy to create a series of works that would engage their younger visitors. The proposal was the beginning of People, his LEGO art exhibition running at the museum through January 22, 2016.
With his work, young and old can enjoy a new twist on old classics. And perhaps go back home and enjoy some classic LEGO.
Check out more LEGO art inspired by famous artwork.
Stefano Bolcato. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's Portrait of an Unknown Woman (La Belle Ferroniere), 1490.
Stefano Bolcato: Website | Instagram
