Life In Pieces is an independent art and design studio founded by Jared Oswald. The studio 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 models for corporate installation and promotion that utilize a range of ideas and techniques. Out of a personal, artistic passion, Jared also creates many experimental pieces. These experimental models, especially “Spill Life”, one of his first Micro City projects, have garnered significant attention.
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.
Exhibitions and Publications
Exhibitions
The Cast Iron Building (Oct 1, 2022 - Present) - Installed on premises - 295 Main Street, Poughkeepsie NY, USA
West Point Jewish Chapel (Nov 21, 2025 - Present) - Installed on premises - 750 Merritt Rd, West Point NY, USA
Sunset Passage (Jan 1, 2026 - Nov, 2026) - Installed as a challenge winner - Lego House, Billund, Denmark
Alone (Feb 1, 2026 - May 1, 2026) - Displayed at Compass Wellness - 24 Davis Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
Spill Life/Pareidolia (Feb 7, 2026 - Apr 4, 2026) - Feature of the inaugural exhibition - Pictorial Foundation, 105 Ann Street, Newburgh, NY, USA
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
Hudson Valley Artist Jared Oswald Creates Monumental LEGO Architectural Models - Jan 22, 2026, Chronogram
Shades of Blue Finalist Award - Jan 23, 2026, Camelback Gallery
Jared Oswald's Massive, Locally Meaningful Architectural Lego Models - Jan 26, 2026, Rural Intelligence
“Light and Dark” - Jan 30, 2026, Penn Journal of Arts and Sciences
Featured Artist at PJAS - Jan 30, 2026, Penn Journal of Arts and Sciences