Gold Monkey Prop Replica
Gold Monkey Idol Prop Replica
from "Tales of the gold monkey"
As a fan of the1982 short lived hit television series ” Tales of the Gold Monkey,” I often admired the Gold Monkey Idol prop used in the show.
When the pandemic hit and my work in the trade show exhibit industry came to a grinding halt, I was looking for a project to bring me back to my roots as both an artist and a prop and set maker. Immediately I pulled out the idol sketches that I had done years ago and set out to bring it to life. First, fabricating the armature, I then began packing on and refining the clay. Utilizing very limited photographic reference of the original props, I endeavored to create a sculpture as close to the originals as possible with a blend of styles between the hero prop used in the title sequence and the slightly less refined aged and weathered stage prop seen on the show.
This sort of refined primitive style idol came to life in clay. Then the months long process of creating silicone molds, casting and assembling the pieces, seaming, filling, and smoothing, the castings were finally ready for finishing. I had to develop a six step process to prime and paint the sculptures with the realistic gold finish and patina that the piece needed. Weighing in at a solid 10 lbs these sculptures show all of the personality of the original prop.
The idol was a labor of love and required a modicum of my own interpretation to bring the judgmental Monkey to fruition. I hope other “Tales of the Gold Monkey” fans out there enjoy this project as much as I enjoyed making them.
Measuring in at 21″ high 9.5″ across at the base, and 10lbs in weight, these completely hand made sculptures are cast in the highest quality resin and painted with a six step automotive finish. Carefully aged with a green patina, they truly have the look and feel of the original prop. Each sculpture includes a hand made Lazy Susan to display the piece on.
Crafted entirely by hand here in my studio, and taking nearly 50 hours a piece to complete, I have decided to release a very limited number of these for sale.
Interested in how I made these? Click here to see my step by step process!
Gold Monkey Idol Prop Replica
Hand Made Limited Edition Replicas of the Prop from Tales Of The Gold Monkey”
Gold Monkey Idol
The time spent on the details can clearly be seen in this studio photograph of the Idol