Lego themed photographs taken by neurodiverse artists are being exhibited in Newcastle.
‘Wey Aye LEGO Man 2024’ is a collection of Lego man themed photography taken by 41 neurodiverse people from across the region. The youngest artist to contribute is 10 years old and the oldest are in their 60s.
It has been organised by Ngage North East Ltd, a community engagement service provided by New Beginnings North East.
The Wey Aye LEGO Man 2024 photography exhibition and opening party took place at the John Marley Centre in Scotswood on Friday evening. The money raised from the event will be used to develop a community allotment, based in Walker.
Rachel Spencer, Director of Ngage, told Chronicle Live: “One of the reasons we did this exhibition is we really wanted to break through into the art world for people with neurodiversity because it’s a really sort of niche market and it’s really difficult for those people exhibiting tonight to actually be able to show their work in a gallery setting.
“All the money raised tonight is going to go to the Ngage community allotment, which is a fantastic green space in the middle of Walker, that a lot of our artists use. It’s a really special space, we actually won best community plot in Newcastle last year and we really want to develop it further.
Fellow organiser Mark, who works with Rachel, said: “All the pictures in the exhibition have Lego men or Lego mini figures in them and we’ve done a range of different techniques like long exposure, light painting and also high speed water splash effects. For some of the people with limited mobility we’ve done AI generated photography. So there’s a whole range of different techniques and skills on show here tonight.”
He added: “Lego is such a universal thing, everyone loves Lego and it’s such a brilliant way for neurodiverse people to communicate with each other. So every single picture is like a window into the artist’s mind. So you get to see the world through their eyes with the language of Lego.”
The evening offered entertainment, light refreshments, and the opportunity to meet and converse with like-minded LEGO enthusiasts and local artists.
Following the opening party, the Wey Aye LEGO Man photography exhibition will be on display for a week at the same venue.
The Wey Aye LEGO Man 2024 photography exhibition
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)Workers from Ngage, who organised the event
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)The photography exhibition in Newcastle
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)People view the photographs at the John Marley Centre
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)There were dozens of photographs to look at
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)A selection of those who took part in the event
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)They lined the walls inside the venue
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)A lady looks one of the Lego photographs on display
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)One of the photographs in the exhibition
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)Another photograph featuring the Tyne Bridge
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)Another Lego themed photograph on display
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)A lot of people turned out for the opening party
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)People of all ages visited the venue
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)All of the photographs contained Lego men or Lego mini figures
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)This one contained one Lego man
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)As did this one
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)One of the pieces of artwork on display
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)Another piece of photography
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)They were all created by neurodiverse artists
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)The artists used a range of different techniques to create the photographs
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)Lego models of the Baltic, St James’ Park and the Angel of the North
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)Everybody appeared to be in high spirits
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)Visitors enjoyed looking at all the different photographs
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)There were so many pieces to look at
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)They will be on display for a week
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)A number of the photographs contain North East landmarks
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)A lady points to a Lego photograph which contains the Baltic
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)One of the Lego photographs which can be viewed
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)Another photograph in the exhibition
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)A third photograph which was being showcased
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)The exhibition seemed to be popular with adults and children
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)This youngster appeared to enjoy the display
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)Some of those who attended the opening party
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)Organisers Rachel and Mark at the event
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)There were Lego themed refreshments on offer
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)A Lego themed cake at the opening party
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)The team celebrated a successful night
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)The opening night proved to be a big hit
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
