# Immortalized Body-Mod Icons Ripley's Builds an Army of Lizard Men Modeled After Erik Sprague By John Charles | Published 2011-01-03 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Ripleys-Builds-Army-Of-Lizard-Men References: [ripleysnewsroom](http://www.ripleysnewsroom.com/lizardman-unveiled/) & [ripleysnewsroom](http://www.ripleysnewsroom.com/lizardman-unveiled/) Lizardman's (aka Erik Sprague) dream has finally come true: he has an army of Lizardmen that look just like him. Actually, his army was created directly from detailed molds of his entire body. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Art Department Chief Barry Anderson spent more than 60 hours with his team hand-painting the scales that cover the [wax replica](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beetlejuice-character) of Lizardman’s body. The Lizardman is a performance artist known for his [extreme body modifications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cyber-zombie) including [full-body tattoos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Tattoo-Inspired-Land-Rover) of green scales, pointy sharpened teeth, a forked tongue, multiple piercings and eyebrow ridges made of subdermal implants. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not unveiled the first Lizardman wax figure at Attractions Expo of the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions. The figure then went on display at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Orlando. Barry Anderson’s team is making more, including one for the renowned Ripley’s Times Square Odditorium in New York City. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.6/10 - Popularity: 59% | Activity: 100% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Bizarre](https://www.trendhunter.com/bizarre) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Body Modification:** Opportunity for businesses to offer unique and personalized body modification services, catering to individuals seeking extreme body modifications. - **Replica Creation:** Potential for companies to create lifelike replicas of individuals for various purposes such as museums, attractions, or personal keepsakes. - **Performance Art:** Emerging trend in performance art where individuals use extreme body modifications as a form of artistic expression and spectacle. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Body Modification Services:** Body modification studios and artists can expand their services to include extreme body modifications and personalized replica creation. - **Museum and Attractions:** Opportunity for museums and attractions to showcase lifelike replicas and exhibits featuring individuals with extreme body modifications. - **Art and Entertainment:** Platforms or events that promote and support performance art can tap into the growing interest in extreme body modification performances. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Custom Face Action Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tron-identity-program.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [Size-Scaled Block Puzzle Retiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/legotruman.md) - [Tattooed Digital Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superlotl-by-inkbox.md) - [TV Show-Inspired Figurines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stickymonger.md) - [Consumer-Inspired Store Mannequins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/london-store-mannequins.md) - [Virant Monumental Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meow-wolfs-group-exhibition.md) - [Futuristic Museum Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unnatural-history-museum-of-singapore.md) - [Erie Halloween Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-lagoon.md)