Published December 1, 2022
By Feliciano Rodriguez III
“Doing this exhibit is our way of thanking them for their support. In a way, it’s like giving back, and for the artwork, it’s just like going home,” shared Leslie Leshen Araujo, president and LAN (LEGO Ambassador Network) ambassador of PinoyLUG (LEGO User Group).
MB Lifestyle Online spoke with Pinoy LUG president Araujo regarding the three LEGO-based pieces by the renowned national visual artist Fernando Amorsolo which will be on display at The Manila Hotel from November 29, 2022, until January 15, 2023.
PinoyLUG members expertly crafted LEGO mosaics of “Bayanihan (1959)” and “Dalagang Bukid (1958),” two further works by Amorsolo. PinoyLUG also worked with the Fernando C. Amorsolo Foundation on Project AMORsolo.
When the COVID-19 pandemic was at its worst, Araujo was cleaning his family’s home when he came upon old postcards featuring Fernando Amorsolo artwork. Then he thought lovingly of how much his father had admired the artist.
Leslie also recalled discussions between his late father and the family about how Rafael Araujo Sr. and Augusta Tiongco, Rafael’s wife, were close friends with Amorsolo. In fact, Augusta had attended the University of the Philippines under the renowned national artist.
“The inspiration struck when I was leafing through those postcards, said Araujo. It’s here. This is going to be PinoyLUG’s next big project. My LEGO family will collaborate to honor this outstanding Filipino artist,” said Araujo.
It was not an easy road. The PinoyLUG crew had its work cut out for them when it came to finding the LEGO components abroad and organizing the designs required for the LEGO mosaics. “Remember that we began the project in the midst of the pandemic. As a result, moving around and placing orders were really challenging. The assistance of Alejandro Ryan Chua, who managed logistics and online LEGO element orders while Klark Villanueva oversaw pattern creation, was greatly appreciated. Jefferson Herrera and Michael John Ng Cha were then in charge of framing and organizing Project AMORsolo.
The final product pays proper homage to the renowned artist’s creations. Given that 2022 also marks the 50th anniversary of Fernando Amorsolo’s designation as a national artist, it is undeniably perfect timing. Amorsolo is referred to as the “Grand Old Man of Philippine Art” and this year commemorates the 130th anniversary of his birth. He was the first recipient of the Philippine Order of National Artists in Visual Arts.
“The goal has always been to genuinely bring these works to Denmark, the birthplace of LEGO, said Araujo. “That is the aim. to exhibit our talent, culture, and artistic ability to the world. And what could be better than having it on display at the Danish town of Billund’s LEGO House?”
Since his initial visit to the LEGO House in 2017, before it was publicly opened to the public, Araujo had been anticipating that day. And now, thanks to Project AMORsolo’s success, that dream is starting to materialize.
The exhibit is well-liked. We visited several places this year, including Power Plant Mall, Chiang Kai Shek College, and Bulwagang Carlos V. Francisco at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Our goal is to democratize art and spread the LEGO ideals of imagination, teamwork, inclusion, and social responsibility.
For PinoyLUG and Araujo, it’s next stop, Denmark!
Project AMORsolo is an innovative and first-of-its-kind idea by PinoyLUG that transforms three important works by Fernando Amorsolo into extraordinary works of mosaic art using LEGO bricks. The display is a part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Amorsolo’s designation as the first visual artist national of the Philippines. The Manila Hotel Arty Gallery will host an exhibition of Project AMORsolo from November 29, 2022, until January 15, 2023.
