There's a whole lotta Canadian pride on display at Semiahmoo Shopping Centre this month, following a weekend build by the country's first LEGO Certified Professional builder.
'Brickmaster' Robin Sather was busy at the South Surrey mall March 28-30 creating "a 5/6th scale version of the famous 'LOVE' sculpture, with spring colours, and a Canadian flavour," according to information at Sather's company website, brickville.ca
Constructed out of some 11,000 LEGO bricks, it stands 1.7 metres (5'7") tall.
According to associationforpublicart.org, the original 'LOVE' design was first created by Robert Indiana as a painting in 1964. He loaned a large aluminum sculpture of it to the city of Philadelphia in 1976 for the U.S. Bicentennial.
The "Canadian flavour" to Sather's finished creation at Semiahmoo Shopping Centre includes a tweak to the 'O' in 'LOVE': it is white, highlighted by a red Maple Leaf in the letter's centre. The back of the display, meanwhile, features a red Maple Leaf on a white background.
Shopping centre marketing director Jeri Cox said Sather started on the 'Canadian Love' display at 10 a.m. March 28 and finished at 6 p.m. on March 30.
On display until April 27, it is part of a project dubbed 'I LOVE Canada!', she continued.
"We felt it was important to do something to celebrate our country right now, and it felt good," Cox told Peace Arch News.
According to his company website, Sather is one of 21 in the world with the LEGO certification; a program, he helped create and develop. His recent work in South Surrey marked his first visit to Semiahmoo Shopping Centre, event information at brickville.ca notes.
"Robin and crew were on hand with building opportunities, challenges, and prizes for the hundreds of kids that came to play," the site reads.
Cox noted a contest – #LoveForCanada – has been incorporated into the 'I LOVE Canada!' project, offering a chance at one of 10 Canadian prize packs.
To enter, post a photo with the LEGO sculpture to social media using the hashtag, making sure to tag @shopsemiahmoo
"We encourage people to visit, share a photo… and show their Canadian pride," Cox said.
