Ekow Nimako is an internationally renowned black only Lego bricks artist.

Ekow Nimako, hailing from Toronto, is an internationally renowned LEGO® artist, renowned for his imaginative and futuristic sculptures crafted from the iconic building blocks. Drawing inspiration from his childhood fascination and innate creativity, Nimako’s formal arts education and lifelong exploration of various art forms deeply influence his distinctive style. His fluid approach to building, combined with the Afrofuturistic themes prevalent in his work, transcends the geometric constraints of LEGO® to evoke organic and fantastical forms.

Among his notable works is the monumental installation “Cavalier Noir” (Nuit Blanche, 2018), featuring a towering seven-foot Black rider atop a fearless Black unicorn. Created in collaboration with Director X, this piece challenges traditional notions of public monuments, centering narratives of the Black experience.

Nimako’s installation “To Feed the Village, the Young Must Grow” premiered at Berlin’s Urban Contemporary Art Biennale (Urban Nation Museum for Urban Contemporary Art, 2019), showcasing alongside esteemed artists from around the globe. Additionally, his contributions to the touring exhibition “Brick by Brick,” which showcases pieces from his “Building Black Mythos” series, have captivated audiences across the UK until 2023.

The series “Building Black Civilizations,” inspired by medieval Africa, debuted at the Aga Khan Museum in 2019. These intricate pieces delve into the untold stories of sub-Saharan Africa during the middle ages, drawing on architectural motifs, Islamic civilizations, and visions of African futurism. A highly anticipated sequel, “Building Black Civilizations: Journey of 2000 Ships,” is set to premiere at the Dunlop Gallery in Regina during the fall of 2022.

In his series “Building Black AMORPHIA,” Nimako intertwines elements of West African mask making traditions, wildlife, and organic shapes to construct a mesmerizing tapestry of amorphous forms. This collection, showcased at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto from January to June 2020, is slated for a sequel titled “AMORPHIA II: Spiritual Starships.”

Nimako’s remarkable body of work has garnered attention from various media outlets and publications, including NOW Magazine, esse, Studio Magazine, CBC, CBC Radio, Global News, TorontoLife, VICE, BBC, Toronto Star, BlogTO, DAZED, Yanko Design, CNN, SHARP, Hyperallergic, Colossal, and the Globe and Mail. Additionally, he is the published author of “Beasts from Bricks” (Quarry Books, 2017), an instructional guide featuring miniature sculptures of rare and exquisite animals with a refined aesthetic.

In 2022, Nimako solidified his official partnership with the LEGO Group, with his art practice, creative process, and instructional workshop “Building Beyond” showcased in the D&AD Award-winning documentary short “Rebuild the World,” directed by LeSean Harris of Fela.tv.