Previously, we reported on LEGO Certified Professional Jumpei Mitsui, who created the remarkable piece based on the famous woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai, titled The Great Wave off Kanagawa. His work has been exhibited across Japan, attracting many visitors. Recently, Mitsui announced on Twitter that he received an invitation from the historic Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) to participate in the Hokusai Exhibition scheduled for late March, where his work will be displayed alongside authentic Hokusai pieces, a truly incredible honor.
The title of “LEGO Certified Professional” is not only an official recognition but also an honor achieved by only a little over twenty individuals worldwide. This speaks volumes about Mitsui’s talent, especially considering he is only 36 years old and began making waves during his time at the University of Tokyo, where he founded the LEGO Club, excelling in both academics and creativity!
Mitsui was quite surprised by the MFA's invitation to exhibit his work at the Hokusai Exhibition. He never imagined his creation would be showcased in a century-old museum alongside such esteemed artworks, a dream come true. Mitsui also shared that ten years ago, when he first received his LEGO certification, he did not consider his work to be “art.” Now, he feels confident to identify himself as an “artist” with this invitation!
He will also be at the museum to engage with attendees about his creative inspirations and thoughts, hoping to share insights on creating various forms of art using LEGO.
Of course, transporting such a large piece internationally comes with some apprehension regarding potential damage. However, Mitsui feels reassured that the museum fully sees his creation as an artwork.
It’s truly admirable that a creation by a “LEGO Certified Professional” will be featured at the Museum of Fine Arts, showcasing LEGO as an art form. This achievement demonstrates that playing with toys can lead to such remarkable successes, a thought that toy enthusiasts might never have considered!