MALA
Mala Rodriguez Art Toy
Genesis
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I created this piece inspired by Mala Rodríguez, as a tribute of the way her work have crossed different moments of my life. Her music has been a constant presence in the background for years.
When I decided to sculpt her, she was showing a more sensual and empowered side of herself publicly. What drew me wasn’t the sexual tone but the confidence behind it. I admire the way she was reclaiming space, body and attitude.
Reference still from an interview with Mala Rodríguez.
Process
I wanted the figure to feel sensual rather than sexual, with curves and presence but always within my stylised language. It was technically demanding because I made the feet very small and wearing heels, which means the entire figure balances on two minimal points. That constrast between fragility and stability is something I enjoy exploring, as if the character is holding its own weight from within.
The look was built from different references. I didn’t want to replicate a single image but capture an overall attitude.
For the gesture, I chose an extended arm with a middle finger. It came from what I perceived in that moment of her career: a clear, unashamed stance toward the world around her. The “fuck you” felt more symbolic than literal, a way to frame the empowerment I was trying to portray. In the other hand I added a small gun, just as a playful nod to the toughness often present in her imagery.
Outcome
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The final figure sits somewhere between attitude, elegance and defiance. It pushed me technically in terms of balance and structure, and it allowed me to explore a more sensual direction within my work without crossing into something that didn’t feel like me.
Ultimately, this project became a way of translating an attitude rather than a specific image. The figure holds its ground through balance and intent, reflecting a sense of strength that feels internal, composed and unapologetic, which inspired me in the first place.
