Art: Excitement Builds for the Return of LEGO® model exhibition to The Harley Gallery 22 January – 2 April 2017

Excitement is building for the new LEGO model exhibition coming to The Harley Gallery from January 2017 following the phenomenal success of last year’s Brick City.

The record-breaking Brick City exhibition attracted more than 80,000 visitors over its three month run. Now the same professional master builder is bringing his much lauded Brick Wonders show to the Welbeck estate in north Nottinghamshire for the first time.

Brick Wonders – Ancient, Natural and Modern Marvels in Lego – created by Warren Elsmore – will take visitors on a journey through history and round the globe featuring both old and new wonders of the world.

The seven wonders of the ancient world, including the Lighthouse at Alexandria and The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, are recreated in full to great effect. In all, the show will present more than 70 fantastically detailed models.

As well as ancient wonders, visitors can marvel at the recreation in miniature of some of the world’s most spectacular natural landmarks from The Great Barrier Reef and The Great Wall of China to the Matterhorn. Seven modern inventions are also represented through the LEGO creations – from a Model T car and a light bulb to the international space station.

Gallery director Lisa Gee said: “It’s wonderful to have LEGO models back at the gallery again. As it’s such a familiar medium, it connects with people of all ages. Being able to view close up how the tiny bricks can be used to create the most amazing models really did stimulate creativity amongst our visitors last time and I’m confident they will be inspired once again.”

Brendan Moffett, Chief Executive of Marketing Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, said: “The award-winning Harley Gallery, situated on the picturesque Welbeck estate in Sherwood Forest, plays an important role in attracting a large number of visitors to North Nottinghamshire. The gallery offers a unique mix of contemporary art alongside its historic Portland Collection and we expect the fascinating ‘Brick Wonders’ exhibition by Warren Elsmore, which features fabulous creations made of LEGO bricks, will once again be a major tourist attraction for the region in 2017.”

This exhibition includes a LEGO brick model of the ‘British Antarctic Survey’s Halley VI Research Station’, designed by Hugh Broughton. Hugh also designed The Portland Collection gallery at Welbeck, which has won four regional RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) awards, including East Midlands Building of the Year 2016, and a national RIBA award.