Hip-Hop Sculptures Showcase Local Talent On The Map

Sculpting clay figures has become a thriving business for young Malaysians, with a focus on popular animated and superhero characters highly sought after by collectors.

However, Mohd Saifol Zainal, 44, carved a niche in this competitive market by sculpting hip-hop artistes. Combining passion, talent, and creativity, he crafts high-quality pieces that have even impressed the artistes themselves—many of whom have purchased his work.

 “My work gained recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic when my sculptures of House of Pain and Wu-Tang (renowned American hip-hop groups), as well as Snoop Dogg (rap artiste), were sold—some even purchased by the artistes themselves," he told Bernama.

Reflecting on that milestone from five years ago, he credited his success to years of refining his craft since discovering clay figure sculpting in 2007.

PASSION

Sharing his story with Bernama, Mohd Saifol, who hails from Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor, said his interest in the art form was sparked indirectly after watching several vlogs showcasing the works of sculptors on YouTube.

“It started in 2007 when I was just browsing videos to watch tutorials and see how these works were made… Eventually, I developed a passion for trying it myself.

“A year later, I apprenticed under a veteran in the field. From there, I was determined to create my own pieces," said Mohd Saifol, who was working as a general worker at a cinema in the capital at the time.

Recalling his early attempts, Mohd Saifol said he initially sculpted figures of comic book superheroes from The Avengers movies, such as Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and Hulk.

He said it took him several years to refine his craft until he could find his rhythm and sculpt figures that matched his artistic vision.

Satisfied with his skills, he then challenged himself to create figures of international hip-hop artistes he admired.

"I’ve always loved hip-hop music, so I started making sculptures based on the faces of hip-hop artistes… It was quite challenging because I had to shape and carve their facial features as close to reality as possible.

"I use a special clay imported from China. I don’t just sculpt the body and face, but I also complete the figures with outfits and accessories, including hats, shoes, and sunglasses, according to my imagination," said Mohd Saifol, who is also a breakdancer.

INTERNATIONAL MARKET

By sharing his work on Instagram, Mohd Saifol never anticipated his creations would gain attention and attract a dedicated fan base, particularly among hip-hop enthusiasts.

Even more exciting, his fans were not just from Malaysia but also from countries like the United States and Canada.

Encouraged by the positive response, he decided to quit his job in 2018 and pursue sculpting as his main source of income.

"After committing to becoming a full-time sculptor, I worked hard to improve my skills and refine my artwork to meet customer demand," he said.

As his sculptures caught the attention of the very artistes he depicted, his career skyrocketed, with a surge of orders keeping him constantly busy.

"When these artistes purchase my sculptures and post them on their Instagram accounts, and then their followers repost them, it gives my work free promotion," said Mohd Saifol, who earns around RM10,000 for two to three figures sold.

During that period, he had to work tirelessly to fulfil orders, with each figure taking two to three weeks to complete, depending on the complexity. The process involved sketching the desired figure, creating a mould, sculpting, and painting.

Each step required meticulous attention to detail, and he was grateful to have his wife assisting him.

"It was a hectic time, and most of my customers were from the United States and Canada… possibly because the hip-hop industry was booming there at the time," he explained.

To ensure the uniqueness of his creations, the father of three emphasised exclusivity in each figure he produced.

"I never create the same design for any figure. So, even if it's the same artiste, each sculpture is different," he said.

CHALLENGES

Despite earning a five-figure income at the time, Mohd Saifol revealed that he faced challenges related to ‘permission,’ which made him more cautious in creating artiste figures.

"Not all artistes are comfortable with their likeness being used and commercialised without their consent. I use their faces and sell the figures for profit, which some see as a violation.

"Some of their representatives even DM (direct message) me, asking me not to use the artiste’s popularity for financial gain. As a hip-hop fan, I understand and respect their wishes because I don’t have official permission or a valid licence to use these artistes’ images," he explained.

However, Mohd Saifol said this did not deter him from continuing his craft and expanding his talent as a figure sculptor.

As a result, he now only creates artiste figures based on personal orders from the artistes themselves.

"...and now, the demand is not just limited to artiste figures. Some hip-hop music fans also want me to sculpt their own likenesses, complete with hip-hop-style outfits of their choice," he added.

KEEPING THE CRAFT ALIVE

Although the demand for his figures is not as high as it was during the pandemic, Mohd Saifol is grateful that his livelihood in this field has remained steady.

He shared that he still earns between RM1,000 and RM5,000 per commission.

"Even though I mainly focus on hip-hop figures, some customers still request superhero figures, like those from The Avengers films. I diversify my ideas by sketching these characters on my computer or iPad before presenting them to clients.

"If they approve the character design and price, then I begin working on the order," he said, adding that his figures can be as tall as two feet.

Beyond promoting his work on Instagram, Mohd Saifol actively participates in exhibitions around the capital to showcase his craft.

For him, the goal is not just to earn a profit but also to find personal satisfaction in sharing his talent with the public.

 "There's no denying that I went from earning RM2,000 a month working at a cinema to making an average five-figure income per month.

"But for me, being able to translate my ideas and talent into art is far more valuable—especially when people appreciate the handmade work of local artistes," he said.

Translated by Salbiah Said

-- BERNAMA