In June 1995, the River Thames played host to a remarkable spectacle: a 32ft statue of Michael Jackson floated down its waters, marking the launch of his album 'HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I'. This statue was one of ten crafted to promote the album, each of which followed Jackson on his subsequent global tours. Fast forward thirty years and, even after his passing 16 years ago, Michael Jackson's figure continues to incite fascination and debate.
Sculptor Diana Walczak initially collaborated with Jackson to create a prototype sculpture for the album cover, which birthed these monumental fibreglass titans. The statues were constructed at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire by artist Stephen Pyle and a dedicated team, molded from polystyrene and finally painted to mimic stone. The endeavor was no small task; the team worked tirelessly to produce all ten statues in just four months.
While the fate of many statues remains unknown—some possibly destroyed or hidden away—others still grace unexpected locations. One statue once towered over a McDonald's in the Netherlands for years, acting as a shrine for fans until its controversial removal in 2019, following new allegations raised in the HBO documentary 'Leaving Neverland'. Despite a strong local following, the pressure from McDonald’s U.S. headquarters led to its retirement from public view. Restaurant owner Peter Van Gelder still hopes to donate the statue to a fan club, but logistical challenges have hampered this intention.
In Austria, a statue found a different fate within the confines of an abandoned nightclub. Owner Franz Josef Zika acquired this statue in 1998 through a charity auction. He recalls the surprise from family upon his eccentric purchase, but it became a popular symbol for the club until it was forced to close recently. Zika now seeks a buyer but struggles to find offers that meet his expectations.
Across the globe in Switzerland, a statue associated with a well-known fairground has been refurbished but not displayed for several years. While in South Africa, a repainted version of Jackson's statue remains visible in the now-abandoned Santarama Miniland, showcasing the King of Pop in a landscape once filled with miniature attractions.
In Italy, a restored Michael Jackson statue in Europark Milano was unveiled amid a flash mob in 2019, but is currently for sale once again after being kept under wraps following allegations against the singer.
As these statues inhabit isolated corners of the globe, they serve both as monuments to Jackson's influence and reminders of the multifaceted perceptions surrounding his life and legacy.
