Papier-Mâché Seahorse Costume
Wearable Sculpture, Papier-Mâché & Mixed-Media Fabrication
Created as an exploration of papier-mâché, wearable sculpture, and theatrical fabrication, this underwater-themed costume project transformed simple materials into two highly detailed characters: a sculptural seahorse and an underwater cowboy.
The playful theme, “Save a Seahorse, Ride a Cowboy,” provided the starting point for a project filled with movement, humor, texture, and handmade details.
Project at a Glance
Project: Wearable Sculpture & Costume Design
Materials: Papier-Mâché, Rhinestones, Plastic Fringe & Mixed Media
Theme: Save a Seahorse, Ride a Cowboy
Location: Foley, Alabama
Recognition: Multiple Halloween Costume Awards
Press: Featured by Gulf Coast Media
From Costume to Award-Winning Story
The project received several awards during the Halloween season, including Second Place at a costume competition in Foley, Alabama, and later became the starting point for a feature about Banks by journalist Kayla Green.
The resulting profile, “The Wonderful World of Banks Compton,” was featured by Gulf Coast Media, with the costume appearing on the publication's cover. Green later received 1st Place for Best Personality Profile at the Alabama Press Association Media Awards for the story.
What began as a playful Halloween project ultimately became an opportunity to showcase Banks' broader approach to creativity, sculpture, fabrication, and storytelling.
Building a Seahorse from Papier-Mâché
Banks constructed the seahorse by hand using papier-mâché, building a lightweight sculptural form that could be worn while maintaining an exaggerated, dimensional silhouette.
Rhinestones and shimmering materials were layered across the finished form, while plastic fringe added texture and movement. The project demonstrates the versatility of papier-mâché as a sculptural medium—capable of creating large, lightweight forms with character and intricate surface detail.
An Underwater Cowboy
The accompanying cowboy extended the underwater theme with a deliberately over-the-top collection of handmade details.
Blue rhinestones and reflective materials covered the costume, while fish mounted on springs moved around the shoulders. An oversized cowboy hat featured a starfish and a seagull building a nest on top. A starfish sheriff's badge and bubble gun completed the character, sending actual bubbles through the air as the costume moved.
Together, the two costumes functioned as wearable sculptures, designed to change through movement, reflection, and interaction.
Sculpture Beyond the Wall
Banks' artistic practice extends beyond murals into papier-mâché, sculpture, fabrication, painting, and immersive environments. His experience building large-scale Mardi Gras floats in New Orleans has particularly influenced his approach to lightweight sculptural construction and dimensional artwork.
Projects like the papier-mâché seahorse demonstrate how those fabrication techniques can translate into wearable art, installations, sculptural elements, and unconventional public-art projects.