Artist：漪鸣
Model：Monkey King — Unruly
Sculptor：Mini Refiner
When it comes to Chinese mythological figures, the first image that may come to mind for many people is probably Sun Wukong. This mischievous monkey, who accompanied us through our childhood in comic books and grew up with us through TV series, allows us to reminisce about the years when we read "Journey to the West." He can be the lawless Monkey King, or the enlightened Monkey Sage. He can be the playful and willful Monkey King of Flower Fruit Mountain, or the diligent and selfless eldest disciple in front of Tang Sanzang. His countless transformations are indeed unforgettable, but it's his growth that makes us sigh, reflect, and keep those memories fresh. It can be said that Sun Wukong, this mythical character, embodies our yearning for youth and has created a classic image in the hearts of the Chinese people.
Therefore, when Mini Refiner decided to create an original series of Chinese-style models for the first time, without a doubt, the first character that came to our minds was Sun Wukong. The "Lawless Monkey King" holds special significance for us. We designed him to stand on the Buddha's head, with a solemn expression and holding the Golden Cudgel. This design encapsulates our vision for the future and the spirit of never giving up, hoping to promote and expand the Chinese-style model series.
The large-scale sculpture of the " Monkey King -- Unruly" is a limited collector's edition that we decided to create in commemoration of the miniature release of the Monkey King. The painting references various images of the Monkey King from films, animations, Peking Opera, and combines them, incorporating classic elements such as the golden armor, red cloak, tiger-skin skirt, and pheasant feathers. To highlight the Monkey King's facial features, we especially incorporated the red eyeliner commonly used in Peking Opera masks, adding a touch of dramatic effect to make the Monkey King look more sharp and resolute.
In addition to the facial features, we also put effort into the Monkey King's attire, especially the golden armor and tiger-skin skirt. To make the Monkey King appear as if he has experienced hardship and danger, we didn't use spray or flat painting for the golden armor but instead gave it an aged look to make it appear heavier and weathered. The tiger-skin skirt is another iconic element of the Monkey King, painstakingly hand-painted to give it the texture of fur, a true test of patience.
Speaking of the Monkey King, we can't forget to mention his Golden Cudgel. The Golden Cudgel, originally the "Ruyi Jingu Bang," has always been seen as a towering pillar. In my mind, I've always likened it to the golden nanmu wooden pillars in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City. So, that's how we depicted the Golden Cudgel in this painting. Against a vermilion background, it features a golden dragon with traditional patterns flying, signifying that this cudgel is the Monkey King's divine weapon.
As the saying goes, only after enduring countless hardships and obtaining the true scriptures can one achieve success. We hope that Mini Refiner’s future works will also be like the Monkey King, turning the impossible into possible, breaking through obstacles, and soaring to sky.
