The LEGO Group, in collaboration with acclaimed actor and producer Samira Wiley, has unveiled a new initiative titled ‘Pieces of Me’ to honour and stimulate creativity within the LGBTQIA+ community.
This campaign, announced in conjunction with this year’s Pride festivities, involves the construction of a 41,000-piece brick self-portrait of Wiley, in collaboration with LEGO Certified Professional Builders. The five-foot (152cm) artwork, which represents a culmination of three creative sessions filled with Wiley’s personal stories and anecdotes, required 200 hours to assemble.
The unveiling also serves as an encouragement for LGBTQIA+ community members and allies to engage in the construction of their self-portraits, encapsulating aspects of themselves that they take immense pride in.
“Embracing and celebrating our individuality and the components that make us unique is vital. Being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I understand the significance of seizing the opportunity to be proud,” expressed Wiley. “Creating this portrait was a delightful experience, as it provided a playful and creative medium for self-expression. As an actor, I often find myself dissecting others’ identities to incorporate them into my roles, but seldom do that for myself. This portrait-making process granted me the opportunity to perceive myself through a different lens, which was both inspiring and rewarding. Play, being a crucial component of creative self-expression, allows us to explore and share our identities and to take pride in them.”
The ‘Pieces of Me’ portrait of Samira Wiley will be showcased from June 8 to August 23 in the LEGO Masterpiece Gallery at LEGO House in Billund, Denmark.
Additionally, The LEGO Group will make appearances at local Pride events this summer in cities like Munich, Berlin, London, and Copenhagen, continuing its tradition of participating in Pride events in London (2019), Copenhagen (2021), and Munich (2022).
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