The Female Brick Artist Who Started Her Own Convention | Inside Xylvie’s World of Brick Art

Key Concepts

Brick Artist: An individual who creates models and art using interlocking plastic bricks, primarily LEGO.
Shophouse: A traditional building type found in Southeast Asia, typically with a shop on the ground floor and living quarters above.
Peranakan Style: A distinctive cultural and architectural style originating from the descendants of Chinese immigrants who settled in the Malay Archipelago.
3D Software for Brick Design: Digital tools used to plan and visualize brick builds before physical construction.
Eagle Builds: Creative techniques or "hacks" used in brick building to overcome software limitations or achieve specific angles and directions.
Slot Brick / Headlight Brick: Specialized brick pieces used for directional changes and building in multiple axes.
On Block Brick Convention: An annual event organized to bring together brick artists and enthusiasts.
Corporate Gifts Kits: Customized brick building sets designed for businesses.
Female Brick Builders Community: Online and offline groups providing support and a platform for women in the brick building hobby.
Tactile Toys: Physical toys that engage the senses and encourage hands-on interaction, as opposed to digital devices.

Brick Artistry and Design Process

The speaker, a self-proclaimed "brick artist," describes their profession as more logistical and mathematical than artistic, involving precise calculations and an understanding of brick dimensions. A key aspect of their work is creating detailed brick models, with a current focus on an "evolution of Singapore's shophouse history." This project aims to showcase the progression from simpler styles to the more ornate Peranakan style, characterized by intricate floral and avian details.

The design process involves using 3D software, where an inventory of bricks is managed. While the software provides a basic framework for stacking bricks, creative "hacking" or "eagle builds" are often necessary to achieve desired angles and directions not directly supported by the program. A crucial design principle is knowing "when to stop," balancing detail with avoiding an overwhelming or "too much" aesthetic, while still capturing the "essence of what it looks like in real life."

For real-world structures where architectural floor plans are unavailable, the artist utilizes Google Street View for initial reference. However, physical site visits are essential to observe details not visible from street level, such as underneath structures.

Brick Sorting and Specialized Parts

The artist's brick collection is meticulously sorted by color (cool, warm, earth tones, monochrome) and type. An estimated 10% extra parts are ordered to account for damaged or old pieces. Tiny bricks are reserved for detailing. Specialized brick pieces are highlighted for their unique functionalities:

Slot Brick: Allows for building "start not on top," enabling directional changes.
Headlight Brick: Originally designed for car headlights, it's now used for directional building, allowing construction upwards and forwards.
Grill Brick: When sandwiched between bricks, its tiny holes can serve as miniature windows for micro-building.
Jumpers: These bricks facilitate moving a brick half a stud forward or backward, deviating from standard square stacking.

Notable Projects and Experiences

The artist has built brick models for various clients, including government agencies, creating replicas of buildings and offices.

Oversized Carnivorous Plants: A memorable project at Gardens by the Bay, large enough for the artist to sit inside a Venus flytrap, creating an immersive experience. The aesthetic combined with real plants was described as "beautiful."
Freestanding Singapore Flag: Exhibited at the Science Centre.
HDB Chess Table: A stable, functional chess table built sideways to achieve a flat top with studs on the side. This piece experienced a mishap during an exhibition in New York when it was lifted improperly, causing it to crack and shatter, requiring extensive repair.

On Block Brick Convention

The speaker is the driving force behind the "On Block Brick Convention," an annual event initiated in 2019 but running since 2014. It serves as a platform for brick artists to gather and showcase their creations, aiming to bring together builders from Singapore, Malaysia, and Southeast Asia.

The convention's format has evolved, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially a "convention style" event with public interaction and a bazaar, it shifted to an "exhibition style" with encased displays for safe distancing. The goal for 2023 and beyond is to return to a more "lively, more rowdy" convention style, emphasizing "togetherness" for SG60. The artist manages all logistical aspects, including venue selection, sponsor relations, and carpentry. The convention is a passion project, with the artist personally sponsoring it and aiming for it to never be for profit.

Personal Reflections and Family Life

The artist acknowledges the significant sacrifice of family time required by their career. They have a 15-year-old son, Shenre, who sometimes assists with deadlines but dislikes bricks due to their sharp edges and the pain they can cause. The artist's mother is described as a highly energetic and multifaceted individual, constantly engaged in diverse activities, from project work to event planning.

The artist's own childhood was marked by a strong artistic inclination, even excelling in drawing and painting over sculpting. Pursuing art school was a significant shock to their parents, who held traditional Asian views on purposeful and educational activities. The artist's father continues to express concern about their late nights and the perceived lack of substantial financial return from their brick artistry.

The artist's husband is supportive, viewing their work as "having fun." However, the artist recognizes the challenge of competing for attention with their all-consuming career. They aim to provide their son with a broader range of experiences and toys than they had, avoiding the notion that play must always be purposeful.

Career Trajectory and Business Aspects

The artist's journey into full-time brick artistry began after their father bought them their first LEGO set at age two. Their first paid work was assisting a friend with a workshop. This evolved into opening a combined retail and gallery space. A significant turning point was the "MG50" event, where demand for projects surged, leading them to realize the viability of a full-time brick artist career.

The business model involves both one-off builds for clients (replicas of buildings, corporate gifts) and larger-scale projects. Seasonal project fluctuations are managed by using income from busy periods to cover constant overhead costs like rent and manpower. The artist also finds a "mundane and droning" aspect in counting bricks for corporate gift kits, which still contributes to income.

Artistic Identity and Community

The artist embraces the idea of being "paid to play" and enjoys the surprise of people realizing their models are made of bricks. They identify as an artist, viewing LEGO bricks as their medium, and aspire for their work to be recognized as art, comparable to traditional mediums. They describe themselves as a "wacky builder" who often doesn't know the final outcome until the build is complete, finding excitement in the process.

The brick building community is noted as being male-dominated, but the artist is part of an international group of female builders who consider it a "safe space" characterized by less judgment. This community has grown significantly, with over 54,000 members, and serves as a support network for individuals facing various life challenges, offering practical advice and shared happiness.

Challenges and Future Aspirations

Challenges include the physical demands of brick building, the need for constant part acquisition, and the logistical complexities of organizing events. The artist has experienced issues with parts not arriving on time and the physical strain of building. They also highlight the stigma associated with LEGO being perceived solely as a children's toy, advocating for greater recognition of adult brick artists.

The artist is committed to continuing the On Block Brick Convention annually, viewing it as a long-term goal to foster a new generation of proficient builders in Singapore. They believe in encouraging creativity outside traditional academic paths and pursuing passions, even if they deviate from parental expectations. The artist hopes to contribute to a more vibrant society through art and encourages individuals to actively participate in creating the culture they desire, rather than simply complaining about perceived boredom.

The artist also mentions the ongoing need to manage inventory and parts, with a personal goal to expand a brick collection to "one and a half to two million parts." They also note the challenges of lighting and color accuracy for displays, particularly with colored lighting affecting the true appearance of brick models.

Specific Technical Details and Examples

Brick Dimensions: "Every five plates is actually equals to two studs." This is a fundamental ratio in LEGO building.
Software Limitations: The program "sometimes does not allow stacking in certain angles and direction."
Part Acquisition: The artist orders "about 10% extra parts" to compensate for potential damage or defects.
Convention Logistics: The artist meticulously plans for "carpentry," "tables," "sponsors," and "venues," even counting the number of tables needed ("18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. Where am I going to find space for another four tables?").
Lighting Concerns: The artist expresses concern about "the color of the model doesn't show through because of the blue light" and discusses adjusting lighting to "white" for "true color."
Brick Count: One shop has "927,000. Almost a million" parts, with a target to grow to "one and a half to two million parts."
Model Size: A shophouse model is described as "32 base plate times three maybe about 70 80 cm."
Part Usage: Mini-figure hands are repurposed as "machine guns."
Building Style: The artist describes their style as "more alternative and avanguard," combining elements like "Lord of the Rings, Beauty and the Beast castle combination of the fire station space module."
Event Management: The artist mentions dealing with "125 packs event running all the way until 8:30."
Community Size: The female builders' group has grown to "54,000 people."

Conclusion

The YouTube video transcript offers a deep dive into the world of a professional brick artist, highlighting the intricate blend of art, mathematics, and logistics involved in their craft. It showcases the dedication required for detailed model building, the challenges of running a community event like the On Block Brick Convention, and the personal sacrifices and triumphs that come with pursuing a non-traditional career. The narrative emphasizes the artist's passion, resilience, and commitment to fostering creativity and community within the adult brick-building scene, while also touching upon the societal perceptions and familial concerns surrounding such a unique profession.