A Glasgow School of Art graduate has achieved something extraordinary – crafting a sock monkey puppet of truly colossal proportions, now officially recognized by Guinness World Records.
Emilia Evans-Munton’s creation, titled “Remember I’m Still Here,” stretches an astonishing 49.6 feet in length. The sculpture wasn’t built with conventional materials; it demanded 60 metres of corduroy fabric to clothe its form and 40 straw bales to provide its underlying structure.
The monkey’s captivating eyes, each a massive 1.5 metres wide, were ingeniously fashioned from repurposed scaffolding board, transformed into giant, button-like features. This detail speaks to Emilia’s resourcefulness and artistic vision.
Displayed in the open air of the Stow building’s car park during the Glasgow School of Art’s 2025 degree show, the puppet commanded attention and sparked wonder in all who encountered it.
Guinness World Records recently confirmed Emilia’s record-breaking achievement, even featuring her in an interview on their official website. The recognition is a testament to the scale and impact of her work.
For Emilia, 22, the giant sock monkey is more than just a feat of engineering; it’s a poignant exploration of memory and loss. The piece serves as an “ode to the toys that are left behind,” and the bittersweet feeling of losing a cherished childhood companion.
She envisioned the puppet weathering the elements – sun, wind, rain, and storm – gradually becoming “battered and bruised,” a visual representation of being forgotten yet rediscovered by viewers. It’s a powerful metaphor for the passage of time and the enduring power of memory.
The inspiration struck from a personal memory: an old sock monkey she’d crafted as a leaving gift for classmates in primary school. A collaborative effort with her mother and grandmother, the creation of these monkeys sparked a question – where are they now?
Her father, recognizing the sheer scale of the project, suggested it might be a world record, prompting Emilia to contact Guinness World Records. His encouragement proved pivotal in achieving this remarkable recognition.
Emilia’s ultimate hope is that her work will resonate with others, helping them reconnect with their own inner child. She consistently explores large-scale creations to evoke a sense of childlike wonder and fascination, inviting audiences into an otherworldly experience.
