
Discovering Artistry in LEGO: Katherine Duclos’ Unique Journey
In a world where traditional art forms dominate, Katherine Duclos offers a refreshing perspective with her innovative use of LEGO bricks in abstract compositions. Each piece encapsulates not only fleeting moments of transition but also personal memories, all stemming from meaningful childhood interactions with her son. In 2021, when her then four-year-old gifted her a small arrangement of colorful LEGO pieces, Duclos found her light bulb moment. This simple exchange transformed her relationship with this modular medium, enabling her to explore color and form in unparalleled ways.
The Emotional Tapestry of Transitional Art
Duclos' latest collection is deeply rooted in her experiences during a chaotic period—moving homes after seven years in a rental. Transition can be a tumultuous time for anyone, but for neurodivergent families, it often exacerbates feelings of disorder and uncertainty. Duclos’ artistic process emerged as a necessary grounding technique for her, leading her to utilize painted LEGO bricks to create structured, modular compositions. This meticulous act not only serves as a form of expression but also provides a sense of control in an overwhelmingly chaotic world.
Integrating Sensory Engagement in Art
For Duclos, touch and color are paramount. The tactile quality of LEGOs, combined with her color sensitivities, positions these blocks as the perfect medium for self-expression. Each brick represents a fragment of a memory or a fleeting moment, assembling them becomes a sensory experience akin to painting with pigments. As she arranges the bricks, the light reflecting off the colorful surfaces shifts dramatically. This reveals the ephemerality of both memory and art, encouraging viewers to engage not just visually but emotionally.
Collaboration with LEGO: A Testament to Unique Creativity
Duclos’ approach has not gone unnoticed; she captured the attention of The LEGO Group, leading to a collaboration exhibited at the Miami Art Basel pop-up in 2023. This partnership is a testament to the excitement and innovation that arise when traditional perceptions of art and play intersect. Over six weeks, Duclos constructed more than 45 square feet of abstract pieces, which now reside at LEGO’s headquarters in Massachusetts, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Rethinking Memory and Color
In her pieces like “The Fairies Will Find Us If We Leave a Trail” and “Fireflies and Lilacs,” she brings an imaginative flair to the sensory experience of memory. Each work reimagines her former home’s hues and lights, allowing her to preserve the essence of memories during transitions. These compositions are designed to be viewed from multiple orientations, promoting a dynamic interaction with the viewer as they manipulate their perspective, reminiscent of the multifaceted nature of memory itself.
As her documentary, Small Tiny Starts, unfolds on LEGO’s YouTube channel, it seeks to delve deeper into her journey as an artist and mother, highlighting the importance of family and creativity in navigating life's transitions.
Your Opportunity to Explore
For those interested in the intersection of art, creativity, and emotional expression, Katherine Duclos’ work is not to be missed. Explore the surprising ways in which one can craft a narrative from playful materials like LEGO. Witness how artistry evolves through personal and social processes and how this recontextualization of a childhood favorite can be a powerful tool for emotional exploration.
Embrace the colors, the transitions, and the chaos—who knows what you might create along the way?
Write A Comment