Photographer and designer Steve Parke and sculptor Joe Simon were brainstorming ideas for 3D versions of things they would love to see. Steve expressed his excitement about creating not just a well-known instrument as a standalone item, but also incorporating the players’ hands into the design. He suggested Victor Wooten as an ideal starting point, highlighting his signature bass and hands.

Joe was thrilled by the idea and they decided to pursue it further, planning to surprise Victor with the project. Steve sketched a design that complemented the main subject, while Joe skillfully rendered the unmistakable hands on the Fodera Yin Yang bass. The knobs, strings, and details were all meticulously crafted.

An initial prototype was sent to Victor as a surprise gift, and he was thoroughly impressed. Victor then began discussing the possibility of making these three dimensional pieces of art available to others. He shared some suggestions for the text on the back of the statue and ways to facilitate easier connection between the pieces using magnets.

Interestingly, all these developments coincided just before the 30th anniversary of Victor’s groundbreaking album, “A Show of Hands” on Compass Records. It seemed that the creative forces behind this project were aligned for a purpose they hadn’t even realized—the perfect way to celebrate 30 years later!