Wilco, known by his artist name Wielco, transforms LEGO bricks into life-sized motorsport sculptures, combining engineering, craftsmanship and design. His work challenges the familiar idea of LEGO as a children's toy revealing its potential as art. For Quinta Filippa, he created a strelitzia flower that reflects the story of the Quinta, an estate shaped over time, where countless individual details come together to create something meaningful.
FROM CHILDHOOD PASSIONS TO ART
My fascination with LEGO and motorsport began when I was a child. Over time, these two passions naturally came together leading me to create life-sized sculptures inspired by Formula 1.
It all started when I saw Lando Norris win a gold chrome LEGO trophy celebrating Formula 1's 75th anniversary. I immediately thought: I have to recreate that!
I began experimenting with LEGO in a completely different way, and one project led to another.
What I love about LEGO is that almost everyone knows it. Most people grew up playing with it but still see it mainly as a children's toy. I enjoy challenging that perception and showing people what else is possible. A big part of my work is exploring the limits of what LEGO can do. Creating things people would not immediately expect to be made from it, such as realistic trophies, wearable helmets and artworks made entirely from chromed bricks.
What interests me most is that contrast. You start with something familiar and simple, but you can take it much further than people expect. For me, LEGO goes far beyond following instructions. With enough inspiration and experimentation, you can create almost anything.
THE PROCESS OF CREATION
Creating these sculptures takes time, patience and experimentation. I usually begin by collecting ideas, creating moodboards and exploring what I want to make. Then comes the challenge of translating that vision into something physically possible with LEGO. There is a lot of trial and error. Something might look perfect in your head but finding a way to build it can take hours of experimentation.
Once the design works, I create a digital building plan and start collecting the bricks from different sources, including old and used LEGO collections. I like giving these bricks a new life as part of an artwork. The pieces are then sent to a small family business in Hungary specialising in chroming LEGO parts. They also develop custom colours for my projects, making each finish exclusive to the artwork.
Although the process takes time, I love the building itself and seeing everything finally come together makes it worthwhile.
FINDING BEAUTY IN THE UNEXPECTED
The original idea was to create something personal for Mike and Nikki that would reflect what they have built at Quinta Filippa.
Every LEGO brick is simple on its own. But put thousands of them together in the right way and you can create something beautiful. I think that is very much what Mike and Nikki have done with the Quinta. Guests arrive and experience this beautiful place as it is today, but behind it are years of hard work, planning and bringing ideas to life. Thousands of small decisions followed by countless actions have shaped the estate.
A flower felt like a natural choice for the artwork. Quinta Filippa has also taken years to grow into what it is today. I wanted the piece to express how something seemingly simple can become extraordinary through patience, dedication and a different way of looking at things.
A PLACE FULL OF MEMORIES
I have known Mike for over twenty years through work, and Quinta Filippa has become a place filled with wonderful family memories. I still remember our first visit when my youngest daughter was just three months old and taking her first flight. Since then, every visit has felt like a little adventure, from exploring the woods together to spending time with Mike, Nikki and their family.
When I decided to create something for them, I wanted it to be personal and to acknowledged everything they had put into the Quinta.
In many ways, the artwork reflects the character of the place. Quinta Filippa brings together nature, wellbeing, food, design and the dedication of so many people who contribute to the experience guests enjoy today. Like my sculptures, the Quinta has developed through years of ideas, experimentation and careful decisions. What connects the two is the attention given to each element and the belief that the smallest details can make a difference.
THE STORY BEHIND THE FLOWER
I hope people take a closer look at the artwork and discover something unexpected. If they do not immediately realise it is made from LEGO that is a nice bonus.
Ultimately, the piece is a reminder that extraordinary things can emerge from ordinary materials when we approach them differently.
For me, the most rewarding part is seeing an idea become reality and knowing that it carries a personal story. At Quinta Filippa, the strelitzia flower reflects the time, thought and dedication behind a place that continues to grow, bringing people together, nature and experiences in ways that make it truly special.
