Brandi Hughes
Pick Me | 2026 | oil on poly cotton canvas | 152 x 152cm
Sunshine Coast National Art Prize 2026 - Finalist
Image courtesy of the artist and the G Contemporary, Noosa Heads.
Brandi Hughes
QLD
Pick Me
2026
Oil on poly cotton canvas
152 x 152cm
Pick Me transforms a familiar LEGO flower into a monumental still life, elevating an everyday toy into an object of reflection. Enlarged beyond its intended scale, the plastic form shifts from plaything to symbol, inviting viewers to reconsider the significance of the ordinary.
Instantly recognisable across generations, the LEGO flower evokes memories of childhood while reflecting on the parts of ourselves that remain long after childhood has passed. Built from individual pieces, it becomes a symbol of growth and the experiences that shape us throughout our lives.
By isolating and magnifying this familiar object, the painting considers how everyday things can carry extraordinary emotional weight. The flower suggests that imagination, curiosity, and play are not qualities we outgrow, but foundations that continue to shape who we become.
Through colour, form, and familiarity, the painting reconnects with the inner child and reflects on the enduring power of play as something both deeply personal and universally shared.