You’ve probably played with LEGO bricks as a kid, maybe building cars, castles, or space ships. But one artist has taken these small plastic pieces and turned them into something much more powerful. He’s using them to tell stories that often go unheard.
Meet Ekow Nimako, a Ghanaian Canadian sculptor who builds an entire universe using only black LEGO bricks. Through his work, he celebrates African history, ancient myths, and bold visions of the future. His creations are now catching the world’s attention and changing how people see both art and identity.
Fast Facts
- Artist: Ekow Nimako, Ghanaian Canadian sculptor
- Medium: Only black LEGO bricks
- Theme: Afrofuturism, African history, and mythology
- Famous Work: Kumbi Saleh 3020 CE (100,000+ bricks)
- Goal: Celebrate Black identity through imaginative sculpture
Who Is Ekow Nimako?
Ekow Nimako is a Canadian artist with Ghanaian roots. He was born in 1979 in Côte-des-Neiges, a neighborhood in Quebec. Today, he lives and works in Toronto. Ekow studied fine art at York University, but instead of using paint or clay, he chose LEGO bricks as his medium.
Since 2012, he has been building amazing sculptures that tell deep and meaningful stories. His work doesn’t look like toys. It looks like something you’d find in a museum.
He shares much of his work on his Instagram account @ekownimako, and he runs a studio and website at ekownimako.com.
The Viral Sculptures That Got the World’s Attention
Ekow became widely known for his piece called Kumbi Saleh 3020 CE. It shows a futuristic version of the ancient capital of Ghana’s empire. He used over 100,000 black LEGO bricks and worked for more than 600 hours to finish it.
Another famous piece is Flower Girl. This sculpture shows a young Black girl holding a bee. It represents the innocence lost during the time of slavery, especially for African girls taken from their homes.
Then there’s Cavalier Noir—a sculpture of a child riding a unicorn, dressed like a warrior. This work highlights Black bravery and imagination.
Ekow also built a version of Anansi, a spider trickster from African mythology. His Anansi is shown as a child with spider-like limbs, blending myth and modern style.
These sculptures have been shared all over the internet. Art blogs like Colossal, news outlets like CNN, and even The LEGO Group itself made a documentary about his work. His art has gone viral many times, especially on Instagram and in international art shows.
How Does He Build These Sculptures?
Ekow builds using only black LEGO bricks. He does this for three reasons:
- Black bricks have a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
- They create a sleek, unified look.
- They clearly show that his characters and stories are Black.
He doesn’t use glue, software, or digital tricks. Everything is built by hand. His building style is smooth and flowing, not boxy like regular LEGO sets. This helps his pieces look more like fine art than toys.
Each sculpture can take anywhere from 35 hours to over 1,000 hours. He uses his deep knowledge of African history, culture, and mythology to guide each piece.
In his own words, Ekow says:
“I like that the racial identity of the children I create can never be denied.”
He wants people to see Black identity as something powerful, beautiful, and imaginative.
Can You Try This Too?
While Ekow’s sculptures are large and complex, beginners can still learn from his work.
He wrote a book called Beasts from Bricks, which gives step-by-step guides to building animals with LEGO. It’s great for hobbyists or anyone who wants to get started.
He also runs workshops called Building Beyond, where students create futuristic self-portraits using special LEGO kits. These workshops are designed to help young people explore culture and identity through building.
If you want to start at home, you can:
- Buy black LEGO bricks from LEGO or BrickLink
- Follow Ekow’s Instagram for inspiration
- Try simple builds from his book
- Learn about African stories and myths to spark ideas
Why Is His Work Going Viral Now?
Ekow’s rise in popularity connects with a bigger trend. More people are becoming interested in Afrofuturism, a style that mixes African culture with science fiction and fantasy.
Movies like Black Panther helped bring this movement into the spotlight. Ekow’s sculptures fit perfectly into that world. But his work also feels personal and powerful. It shows Black characters in magical, bold, and imaginative roles—something many people have rarely seen.
His use of LEGO, a toy from many people’s childhoods, makes the art feel familiar. But once you look closer, you see deep messages about history, resistance, and hope.
Art lovers, educators, and LEGO fans all share his work because it’s both beautiful and meaningful.
What’s Next for Ekow Nimako?
Ekow is not slowing down. He continues to create new sculptures, like The Great Turtle Race, which shows children racing on giant turtles to celebrate joy and childhood.
His Building Black series keeps growing. He recently showed his work in countries like South Korea, the UK, and Germany. More exhibitions are being planned.
He’s also expanding his workshops and community outreach, helping more kids explore their creativity.
In 2022, the LEGO Group released a documentary about him. Ekow said:
“It fills me with so much joy knowing that Black children are going to be able to engage with my work and see themselves reflected.”
Final Thoughts
Ekow Nimako is doing something truly unique. With nothing but LEGO bricks—and a lot of imagination—he’s creating a universe full of wonder, history, and pride.
His art is more than cool sculptures. It’s a new way to tell stories. It’s a reminder that creativity can be a tool for change.
So the next time you see a pile of LEGO bricks, ask yourself:
What kind of world would you build?