“Samurai Monkey King” (2023)
By Daniel Macchiarini (1954 -)
22 x 30 in, mixed metal with cabochon, minerals
Coppola Collection

I first met Danny in the early 1990s. His studio at the time was at the end of a long hallway, and over the door was a giant metal monkey mask – All Hail the Monkey King. I always wanted that monkey. And it only took me a few decades to figure out that I could commission one from him. Duh.

Inspired by my own interests in Asian art and culture, he developed this version of the Monkey King with a classic samurai brow. He volunteered to keep it and give me the original – and I tell you that was tempting.