# Surreal Brick Sculptures Artist Brad Spencer Creates Playful Scenes Using an Everyday Medium By Meghan Young | Published 2014-02-24 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brad-spencer References: [mymodernmet](http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/brad-spencer-brick-sculptures) & [bradspencersculptor](http://www.bradspencersculptor.com/Site/Home.html) There is something very surreal about the work of Brad Spencer. He uses [common brick and mortar](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beam-cultural-center) to create eye-catching, figurative scenes. But what really makes them stand out is the fact that they don't adhere to the blocky shape of such an everyday medium. Instead, Brad Spencer essentially carves the [red bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/belden-brick) in order to create [playful humans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nina-chanel-abney-bravo). Based in Reidsville, North Carolina, Brad Spencer nails it on the head when he writes on his website, "Brick sculpture adds intrigue and interest to a commonly understood material as viewers try to figure out the techniques by which it was created." The lifelike look of the girls and boys portrayed in his work will have people scratching their heads in wonder and bafflement. Yet people won't be able to resist Brad Spencer's work. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 70% | Activity: 39% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Surreal Brick Sculptures:** The use of common brick and mortar to create eye-catching, figurative scenes challenges traditional art forms. - **Nonconformist Medium Manipulation:** Artists like Brad Spencer defy expectations by carving red bricks into playful human forms, breaking the boundaries of what is possible with everyday materials. - **Intriguing Material Transformation:** The technique of brick sculpture adds intrigue and interest to a familiar material, sparking curiosity and puzzlement among viewers. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Art and Sculpture:** Artists in the field of sculpture can explore the potential of using unconventional materials like brick to create unique and thought-provoking pieces. - **Construction and Architecture:** Incorporating brick sculptures into architectural designs can add an element of surprise and aesthetic appeal to buildings, merging artistry with functionality. - **Public Installations and Landscaping:** Brick sculptures can be used to enhance public spaces, parks, and gardens, providing visually captivating and interactive experiences for visitors. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Brick-Centric Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brick-collection.md) - [Whimsical Sculptural Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/city-block-series.md) - [Surreal Love-Themed Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joakim-ojanen.md) - [Stock Brick Arched Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brick-from-a-stone.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [Artful Anime-Blending Split Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/split-bust.md) - [Concrete Brick-Themed Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/he-she-brick-slippers.md) - [Human-Shaped Puzzle Bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/souper-connect.md) - [Playful Storage Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/berto-hidden-secrets.md)