But one man has carved a niche in this market by creating high-quality sculpted figurines of hip-hop artistes – some of which have impressed the artistes themselves.
“My work gained recognition during the pandemic when I sold my sculptures of (renowned US hip-hop groups) House of Pain and Wu-Tang, as well as (rap artiste) Snoop Dogg,” Mohd Saifol Zainal, who discovered clay figure sculpting in 2007, told Bernama.
The 44-year-old from Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor said his interest in the art form was sparked after he watched videos showcasing the works of sculptors on YouTube.
“From browsing tutorials, I eventually decided to try it myself. A year later, I apprenticed under a veteran in the field. From there, I was determined to create my own pieces,” he recalled.
Saifol initially sculpted figures of comic-book superheroes from the “Avengers” movies, such as Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and Hulk. After spending several years refining his craft, he ventured into creating 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 real life as possible.
“I use a special clay imported from China. I don’t just sculpt the body and face; I complete the figures with outfits and accessories, including hats, shoes, and sunglasses, according to my imagination,” said Saifol, who is also a breakdancer.
Global attention
Saifol never anticipated his creations, which he shared on Instagram, would gain attention and attract a dedicated fan base, particularly among hip-hop enthusiasts – not just from Malaysia, but from as far away as the US and Canada.
Encouraged by the response, he decided to quit his job as a cinema manager in 2018 and pursue sculpting as his main source of income. As his sculptures caught the attention of the very artistes he depicted, his career skyrocketed.
“When these artistes bought my sculptures and posted them on their Instagram accounts, and their followers reposted them, it gave my work free promotion,” explained Saifol, who could earn around RM10,000 by selling two or three figures.
He recalls having to work tirelessly to fulfil orders, 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.
To ensure the uniqueness of his creations, the father of three aims for exclusivity in each figure he produces. “I never recreate the same design. So, even if it’s the same artiste, each sculpture is different,” he noted.
Saifol also revealed that he faced permission-related challenges that made him more cautious with his artiste selections.
“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 messaged to tell me not to use the artiste’s popularity for financial gain. As a hip-hop fan, I understand and respect their wishes since I don’t a valid licence to recreate their likeness.”
Today, he only creates figures based on personal orders from artistes themselves. He also sculpts replicas of hip-hop music fans who wish to have their own figures, complete with hip-hop-style outfits of their choice.
Some customers, he added, still request superhero figures, like those from the Avengers.
And while demand is not as high as it was during the pandemic, Saifol is grateful that his livelihood has remained steady: he is able to earn between RM1,000 and RM5,000 per commission.
Beyond promoting his work on social media, he actively participates in exhibitions to showcase his craft. For him, the goal is not just to earn a profit, but to find personal satisfaction in sharing his talent with the public.
“Being able to translate my ideas and talent into art is invaluable, especially when people appreciate the handiwork of local artists,” Saifol said.