Near the corner of Nichols Road and Central Street, in Kansas City, on the Plaza stands a whimsical bronze statue that holds a surprising connection to Michael Jackson. The artwork, called “Monkey Business,” has an identical twin that once graced Michael’s magical Neverland Ranch.
“Monkey Business” is the creation of Mark Lundeen, a Colorado-based sculptor celebrated for his lifelike bronze works that appear across the United States. This particular piece, featuring an organ grinder and his monkey, was brought to life by Lundeen in the late 1980s after he was inspired by travels through Europe. “I came across a couple of old organ grinders in Italy—guys on the street that had their little monkeys that would go around and collect money,” Lundeen recalls. The figure in the sculpture was modeled after Lundeen’s friend Joe Tarantino, described by the artist as “a short, stocky Italian guy.”
Only 15 casts of “Monkey Business” were ever made, making it a rare find for art collectors and enthusiasts. One of these sculptures found its way to Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza, likely thanks to J.C. Nichols heir Miller Nichols, who curated much of the Plaza’s art at the time. Another cast ended up at none other than Neverland Ranch, joining Michael Jackson’s extraordinary collection of statues and artistic treasures.
Michael’s love for art and sculpture is well documented. Neverland wasn’t just home to amusement rides and exotic animals—it was also a sprawling outdoor gallery filled with detailed works like “Monkey Business,” which perfectly matched Michael’s fascination with whimsy and storytelling.
Lundeen, who brings his sculptures to life by first molding them in oil-based clay before casting them in bronze—a process that dates back thousands of years—went to great lengths to make “Monkey Business” as authentic as possible. Before sculpting the monkey, he spent time at the Denver Zoo studying capuchins up close. It was the first time he ever sculpted a monkey, and since then he’s gone on to create everything from a massive pronghorn antelope on the University of Nebraska–Kearney campus to a stately buck on John Deere’s grounds in Illinois.
More than four decades into his career, Lundeen continues to craft sculptures that feel alive, with eyes that seem to follow you and faces that look ready to start a conversation. “I want people to look at my sculptures,” Lundeen says, “and I want my sculptures to look back at them like they’re ready to answer a question.”
It’s no wonder that Michael Jackson, a visionary with a deep appreciation for art that sparks curiosity and joy, chose “Monkey Business” to be part of his Neverland wonderland—where imagination truly knew no bounds.
