MAKER: From Ice Rink to LEGO Canvas – M’BricK’s 3D Humanity
Meet Aymeric, known professionally as M’BricK, a former professional ice hockey player who traded his hockey stick for LEGO bricks. Born on a leap year in Paris and now based in Dijon, France, M’BricK has transformed from an athlete who started his career at 16 into an innovative artist who creates stunning portraits and scenes using LEGO as his medium. His radical transition from sports to art wasn’t just a career change—it was a leap of faith that challenged every conventional wisdom thrown his way.
When M’BricK discusses his artistic projects with others, what seems straightforward to him often appears complex to them—a tell-tale sign of his unique perspective. This former professional athlete doesn’t just build with LEGO; he transforms these tiny plastic bricks into sophisticated works of art, creating everything from portraits of Michael Jordan to Nelson Mandela, each piece taking a month of meticulous daily work to complete.
Join us as we explore M’BricK’s journey from the ice rink to the artist’s studio, where he’s proving that sometimes the most extraordinary art comes from the most unexpected places. His story shows us what happens when raw talent meets unwavering determination, and how the courage to break from convention can lead to creating something truly unique.
We look forward to the day when The Savants can host traveling art installations in major museums to bring these emotional masterpieces to audiences worldwide.
On Being a Savant
Q: What Does Being a Savant Mean to You?
A: It’s always a pleasure to be seen as a scholar by inspiring people like you! A savant may be someone who has a talent that others do not have. I realized I was different when I was still playing hockey—people began to identify me for my level. Later, with art and LEGO, I noticed it again when discussing my projects with people. What seemed very simple to me, they found very complex.
The Moment of Realization
Q: The Moment You Knew You Were Unique—How Did It Shape You?
A: In my sports career, they began to identify me for my level from age 16, and I then realized I was different. The second time was when I started talking about my art projects to people—I had something in mind that seemed very simple, but they found very complex. These moments of recognition shaped my understanding of my unique perspective.
Daily Rituals and Passion
Q: What’s Your Daily Ritual for Tapping into Your Genius?
A: I work every day from 9am to 6pm, always with hip-hop and reggae playing in the background. Music is essential to my creative process. First, I work with an image, often collaborating with photographers to secure rights for the most beautiful photos. Then I pixelize it, adapt the colors to match LEGO palettes, and meticulously add pieces to create relief and hidden scenes within the work.
On Identity and Labels
Q: In a World Obsessed with Labels, How Do You Define Yourself?
A: I’d like people to see that I come from the world of art and not from the world of LEGO directly. LEGO is my painting—I don’t make LEGO creations but art. That’s what I’d like to show. People think I’m a LEGO fan (I like it, sure) but it’s more my painting than anything else.
Misconceptions
Q: What’s the Most Misunderstood Aspect of Your Identity or Life/Work?
A: People often misunderstand that I’m just a LEGO enthusiast. The hardest thing was overcoming the words of all my relatives and friends who told me I was crazy when I gave up everything to make works in LEGO. One man told me that only dead artists are successful, like Picasso. Every day, this phrase motivates me to prove him wrong.
Creative Inspirations
Q: Which Artists or Individuals Inspire You—and Why?
A: Artists like Banksy, Basquiat, and Invader have greatly inspired my art. Many athletes inspired me during my sporting days, and numerous entrepreneurs have influenced me—not necessarily about making money, but about starting from nothing and creating extraordinary things.
Legacy and Impact
Q: What’s Your Legacy in the Making?
A: I’ve always tried to improve what I do, to make my work more and more realistic, with more details. If my work can travel, if people find it inspiring and cool, that would be a good form of recognition. I want to continue creating emotions when people discover my works in real life!
Bold Moves
Q: What’s the Most Radical Thing You’ve Ever Done in the Name of Passion?
A: I did many radical things in my former life as a top-level athlete, moving frequently and taking my family with me to change clubs. But the most radical was quitting everything overnight to make a living from my artistic passion. I followed my instinct, believing it would work out.
Advice to Younger Self
Q: If You Could Speak to Your Younger Self, What Advice Would You Give?
A: I should have taken more time to enjoy myself and been more mature in some of the choices I made in my career. It took me a long time to understand that sport was a profession and not just a hobby. I don’t regret anything, but I could have developed more quickly if I’d done things earlier.
The Power of Words
Q: What’s Your Favorite Curse Word or Expletive, and Why?
A: It’s “fucking!” or in French, “putain!”
Looking Forward
Q: What Are You Looking Forward To?
A: I’ve already worked with prestigious brands like IWC and Bape, which allowed me to travel to Denmark and Japan. I’ve created works for an NBA player and an Australian pianist. I would love to see my works featured in films or series! My art allows me to travel and meet people, and I want to continue creating emotional connections when people discover my works in real life.
One day, we hope to commission M’BricK to create a piece for The Savants’ headquarters.
Connect with M’BricK
Instagram: @mbrick_art
TikTok: @mbrick_art
LinkedIn: M-Brick Art
