Life In Pieces is an independent art and design studio that uses LEGO® elements as a medium to create striking sculptures and wall art. The goal of each model created by Life In Pieces is to bring more attention and recognition to LEGO® as an artistic medium and to showcase the skill and creative application of unique part usage and techniques.
About the Artist
Jared Oswald is a visual artist and entrepreneur from Poughkeepsie, New York who specializes in the use of LEGO® elements to create one-of-a-kind art pieces. He is best known for his large scale architectural models of notable and historic buildings from New York and the greater Tri-state area. Jared has also created many smaller, experimental pieces and models for corporate installation and promotion that utilize a range of ideas and techniques.
How it Began
Life In Pieces began in 2018 as a small Bricklink® shop, as a way for it’s founder, Jared Oswald, to sell some extra parts he no longer needed for his personal collection. The pandemic shutdown and the unemployment that came with it caused a refocusing in Jared. The early months of the pandemic were spent counting parts by hand for an ever-expanding inventory of parts to sell to customers worldwide. In July of 2021, Life In Pieces became a full-time venture and began offering commission design services to the public. By the end of 2023, the Life In Pieces office in Poughkeepsie, New York had amassed more than 1.5 million parts on hand and had served thousands of customers across the the globe.
Partnership with Playwell Bricks
In 2023, Jared joined Playwell Bricks Design Studio as a contracted designer. bringing a unique perspective to the team from his Bricklink® background. In June of 2024, Jared joined the Playwell team in a more established role, becoming the Production Manager for bespoke models being produced. In March of 2025, Jared took on the role of Chief Operating Officer of Playwell Bricks, where he now oversees all operations of bespoke model creation for a wide variety of corporate clientele across the world.
Refocusing
With so much time and effort going into operations at Playwell Bricks, Life In Pieces remained static throughout 2024. At the end of 2024, Jared decided that his attention was being split in too many different directions and began thinking about a new Life In Pieces, focused solely on the art and design that is capable with LEGO®. The Life In Pieces Bricklink store’s inventory was repurposed into an internal inventory for projects. The shop will sunset completely in 2026. Jared now splits his time between Playwell operations and creating new models to showcase through Life In Pieces. Time will show the new models to be created, and which commission projects Jared decides to take on.
Installations and Publications
Installations
The Cast Iron Building (Oct 1, 2022 - Present) - Installed on premises - 295 Main Street, Poughkeepsie NY
West Point Jewish Chapel (November 21, 2025 - Present) - Installed on premises - 750 Merritt Rd, West Point NY
Sunset Passage (Jan 1, 2026 - Nov, 2026) - Installed as a challenge winner - Lego House, Billund, Denmark
Publications
Lego Builder Recreates Iconic Poughkeepsie Cast Iron Building - Sept 20, 2024, Hudson Valley Country
Jared Oswald: LIfe In Pieces - Nov 1, 2024, Brick Journal #87 Bantha Bricks Contribution
Autumnspire centerpieces by Jared AKA Life in Pieces - Nov 18, 2024. Tips and Bricks
Poughkeepsie Cast Iron Building (and Its Lego Model) - Feb 5, 2025, Atlas Obscura