“One Lego por favor. Hammer!” as equal parts shrine, joke, and an emotional flashback of a memory; the sculpture invites viewers to reflect on the strange logics of childhood and the odd beliefs we turn into our own symbols of hope.
A small, yellow-headed figure climbs the steps on a block, reaching out with both hands in hopeful devotion toward an oversized hammer with a cheerful smile. The hammer stands tall and still, like a deity of sorts, radiating a luminous glow.
The base of the sculpture is etched with crude block-like forms resembling Lego bricks, echoing the longing of the character who appears to beg or pray for just one set. The figure’s glossy red boots add a playful pop of color, grounding the childlike tone in a slightly absurd reality.
This piece was created for the exhibition “Mälestuste mängumaa” (Memory Playground) and is based on artist Sander’s own humorous recollection of a childhood ritual, believing that saying the word “hammer” out loud would help wishes come true.
In Estonian the words “amen” and “hammer” sound somewhat similar.
The hammer can be taken out of the bottom piece.
It has been shown in two exhibitions:
2025 Mälestuste mängumaa, pART gallery, Põltsamaa, Estonia.
2024 Mälestuste mängumaa, Annual exhibition of the Estonian Ceramists Association, Kullo Children’s gallery, Estonia
