This LEGO Artist Builds Masterpieces Using All Black Bricks | Obsessed | WIRED

"It just had this appeal to me because you can create the things you don't have." Meet Ekow Nimako, a Ghanaian-Canadian artist who uses black LEGO bricks to build jaw-dropping sculptures. While some of his masterpieces take nearly one-thousand hours to create, he has the ability to prototype a new design in just one day. We tour his home studios where he began creating his breathtaking art and explore some of his custom builds inspired by Black mythology.

Check out more of Ekow's work on TikTok: @ekownimakostudios

Director: Charlie Jordan
Director of Photography: Dave Sanders
Editor: Jordan Calig
Expert: Ekow Nimako
Creative Producer: Wendi Jonassen
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Brandon White
Production Manager: D. Eric Martinez
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Camera Operator: Jerome W. Tan
Sound Mixer: Dave Plank
Production Assistant: Andrew Vance
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds


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[alexfischer]

Not only an artist, but a patient collector. _Millions_ of LEGO parts are under his control.

*Ekow Nimako* deserves a spot in LEGO Hall of Fame... _if it exists._

[justice]

I'm into Lego myself and I can tell you, he's a pro and has an amazing sense of creating organic shapes. I'm truly impressed.

[SebastianTinajero]

He is a sculptor and his medium is Lego. 🖤✨

[AAurum-yyrv]

Idk what’s more impressive these brilliant builds or the fact he managed to find this many black pieces not faded or covered in scratches and teeth marks

[Zakading]

Saw one of his figues, a woman riding a unicorn, at Brick Campus in Juju, South Korea last year. Legitimately incredible piece of art. The pure black is so striking and gorgeous.

[alexhussey]

The use of the smooth tiles and the color black both bring an elegance to a medium more associated with an amalgamation of color and chaos. There are lots of things to love about the colorfulness, but I like how his art subverts that association. The artistic style works so well with the themes he works in.

[lester]

Love how unafraid he is of integrating technic and system into his sculptures together - I feel like a lot of 'master' system builders often limit the majority of their builds to 2x4 bricks lol

Also love the casual star wars nerdness hahahaha he's brilliant 😩👌

[schemasoftware]

they need to bring this guy in and let him make an official lego set

[urdin]

I feel like the black bricks definitely catch the light the best. Good choice. Great art.

[Anrinobelibrahim]

This man can create texture, shape, and life in just black bricks

[karatemaster]

Props to this dude for channeling his culture into Lego. This is a man proud of his ancestry

[damilolabamkole]

Look at those beautiful ancestral masks, winged figures etc 😭 Monochrome Textures. Amazing! I want such a spacious, niche studio

[cosmicish]

The organic shapes he makes is just phenomenal. To know each piece and how it functions is the same as a painter knowing each brush and tool in their kit.

[LukeEady]

This brother is so brilliant and inspiring, I’m in awe of his vision and creativity. I’m so proud of him, representation matters!

[shroomzzz]

"Are you serious?! It's Lego." The man is an artist!

[cherylbristol]

Do LEGO even imagine that their locking tiles would take this format. This man has given LEGO a new purpose.

[erichoskins]

Been following this guy on instagram for 4-5 years now. He’s so creative and fantastic. Love seeing everything he creates

[lmboyd]

I saw Black Panther/Wakanda in the mask he just built. Never heard of this brother, but I’m glad I watched this clip of him. He is indescribable. I’m left inspired, proud, and in awe of his spirit, personality, and passion. ❤✊🏾

[Angtastic]

Nothing better than working a draining stressful week at my desk and finding treasures like this. What an inspiration! He knows his Lego stuff too! Very cool!

[quinnmcdonald]

This guy is a one of a kind rare talent. His art is exceptional.