At Pieces Together, we embrace this philosophy by utilizing the LEGO® System not just as a toy, but as a ‘medium for mastery’ that allows individuals to navigate the complex obstacles of isolation and withdrawal. By engaging in ‘Thinkering’ — the creation and understanding of concepts through hand manipulation — members are able to externalize internal conflicts, physically arranging their thoughts so that ‘the person is not the problem, the problem is the problem’. This process transforms the daunting task of recovery into a tangible construction project; acting on the principle that ‘if you start building, it will come,’ the bricks provide a low-risk environment to experiment with ‘best possible selves’ and ‘ideal futures,’ ultimately piecing together a renewed sense of hope and capability where previously there may have been despair.
Ama Ndlovu explores the connections of culture, ecology, and imagination.
Her work combines ancestral knowledge with visions of the planetary future, examining how Black perspectives can transform how we see our world and what lies ahead.