Mask maker Neal Harvey is a hard man to reach so we took to EBAY to get a sample of his work with this wonderfully detailed Rubber Gorilla Archie ventriloquist dummy mask.
I can’t quite count just how many emails i’ve sent to Rubber Gorilla after the success of our last article displaying their wonderful masks.
Desperately urging to buy a mask for a review, no reply.
Desperately urging to buy a handful of masks for a review, no reply.
That’s the sign of a busy man indeed and when you see the quality of the masks on offer it’s clear to see why he’s a man in demand.
Rubber Gorilla is a UK based mask making company run by Neal Harvey.
The company produces a custom range of original, collectors quality latex Halloween horror masks right here in the UK.
All of the masks in the Rubber Gorilla portfolio are handmade to the highest standards.
Using durable latex all masks are individually hand-painted and the same care is taken with them as Hollywood studio latex horror masks.
I took to EBAY in a desperate attempt to own something of Neal’s and whilst this mask wouldn’t have been my personal choice it was going for an absolutely bargain.
Usually retailing for £120 I picked up this incredible ‘Arche’ mask for around £40.
The detailing is absolutely wonderful and the mask instantly reminds me of Slappy the Dummy from the Goosebumps franchise if albeit with a more mature charm to it.
There are slits above the eyes in the dark creases of the brow so you can easily see through the mask when wearing it.
I must say the mask is quite a large size and there’s a lot of room in the mask but I always find this to be the case with any latex mask.
I’ve always been a huge fan of silicone masks that mould to your appearance as though they were a second skin but looking at this detail in this particular mask, I may have to reconsider some things.
The glossy eyes add quite a chilling feel to it and the fur fabric hair can be styled however you wish.
With its creepy side parting I could just imagine dressing up in a tattered suit and walking around a Halloween event or similar making a real dummy of myself.
Rubber Gorilla has a new mask design every single month which is quite some going so make sure to keep checking out their website below:
http://www.rubbergorilla.co.uk
Hopefully in time I receive an email reply as I’d love to purchase a few more masks from this wonderful artist!
Prices range from £80-£200 with custom pieces naturally commanding more money but you’re certainly paying for craftsmanship here, this isn’t your ordinary Halloween mask.
Handmade, beautifully sculpted and created.
It’s a work of Halloween artistry.
It’s great to see that even in the current crisis we are currently living in that some independent artists are still working away and are in-demand.
You just love to see it!
