Generally speaking, most people wouldn't think of brick as being a very useful medium for creating beautiful art. However, since 1984, North Carolina-based sculptor Brad Spencer has been working hard to change all that...and succeeding.
In the late 80s, after years of experimenting with clay, plaster, cement, and bronze, Spencer discovered brick and the rest was history. Each of his amazingly detailed sculptures are created using unfired clay brick material that he then carves into the desired shape. Once the creation is finally finished, Spencer deconstructs the entire piece bit by bit, fires it, and then recreates it all over again, only this time on the street.
Each of his amazing sculptures are strange and wonderful free-standing works of art, many of which feature people added seamlessly into the creation. They're so well camouflaged in fact, it sometimes takes a few glances before you even notice they're there. Many of his current projects incorporate brick people all interacting with their environments, and if you don't look twice, bricks might be shat... get it? Bricks?
"Brick sculpture can be dated back to ancient Babylon but remains a fresh and interesting enhancement to any building, wall or environment. The brick medium has all the same characteristics of durability and low maintenance as a brick building, blends well in settings where other brick construction is present, looks good with landscaping and has a familiarity which is comforting to people. Brick sculpture adds intrigue and interest to a commonly understood material as viewers try to figure out the techniques by which it was created." - Brad Spencer
Spencer has left his wonderful brick masterpieces throughout Charlotte, Greenville, Asheville, and SC including his most visited piece at the Market Square Park in Reidsville. So if you're in the neighborhood be sure to swing by one of Brad Spencer's beautifully-creepy and equally awesome brick sculptures.
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