# Toy Brick Umbrellas Artist Nathan Sawaya Creates a Fully Functioning LEGO Umbrella By Michael Hines | Published 2012-12-09 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-umbrella References: [technabob](http://technabob.com/blog/2012/12/05/lego-umbrella/) & [brickartist](http://brickartist.com/gallery/umbrella/?ref=recent) Artist Nathan Sawaya is the man behind this amazing [LEGO](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-ideas-bob-ross) umbrella. Sawaya's umbrella is currently on exhibit at Think Outside the Brick, currently running at the Columbus Museum of Art. The LEGO umbrella was created specifically for In Pieces, a project the artist worked on with Australian photographer Dean West. The photo of a man standing in the rain with his [toy brick umbrella](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/justin-case) is one of seven photographs from the series. At first glance it's almost impossible to tell that the umbrella he's holding is made out of LEGO. The artist says this was done on purpose so that the viewer would be forced to "deconstruct each tableau, thereby exposing elements of the scene construction." The photo was shot on-location in Toronto, Canada. For those of you wondering, the umbrella actually works, although it is undoubtedly heavier and probably unable to fold up. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.6/10 - Popularity: 4% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/toys) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **LEGO Art:** The use of LEGO in artistic creations offers opportunities for innovative and visually striking artworks. - **Functional Sculptures:** Creating fully functioning objects out of unconventional materials opens up possibilities for disruptive innovations in various industries. - **Photography Collaboration:** Collaborations between artists and photographers can result in captivating and thought-provoking visual narratives. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Art and Design:** Incorporating LEGO and other unconventional materials in traditional art forms can create unique and engaging experiences for audiences, disrupting traditional art industries. - **Product Design:** Exploring the use of unconventional materials, like LEGO, in product design can lead to innovative and attention-grabbing functional objects. - **Photography:** Collaborations between artists and photographers can push the boundaries of visual storytelling, presenting disruptive opportunities for the photography industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Iconic Artist Toy Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-ideas-bob-ross.md) - [LEGO-Inspired Hourglasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-hourglass.md) - [Building Block-Inspired Suitcases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-luggage.md) - [Space-Inspired Folding Umbrellas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bloombrella.md) - [Umbrella-Resembling Playful Lamps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rain-man-lamp.md) - [Vintage Projector Puzzle Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magic-lantern.md) - [Pop Art Factory Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-campbells-soup.md) - [Artist-Designed Umbrella Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shed-rain-artist-series.md) - [Reimagined Puzzled Artful Paintings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portrait-of-a-woman-in-a-hat.md)