"This is my art and it is dangerous!" Part 3 The Tentacle Rock Sculpture.

Joshua Hudson - Beetlejuice sculpture

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Third Delia Deetz Sculpture from Beetlejuice – by Joshua Hudson

If you’ve been following along with my ongoing series of Beetlejuice sculpture recreations, welcome back! This blog marks the third installment in my Delia Deetz sculpture journey—a creative deep dive into one of the most iconic (and quirky) fictional artists in cinematic history.

For those who don’t know, I’m Joshua Hudson, artist and sculptor behind Joshua Hudson Studio, where I specialize in pop culture-inspired works, original fine art, and experimental sculpture. Over the last several months, I’ve been tackling the surreal, modernist sculptures created by Delia Deetz, the eccentric character played by Catherine O’Hara in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988).

This particular piece—the third in the lineup—has been the most mysterious so far. It appears in the film, but only barely. It sits quietly behind the two main sculptures that famously spring to life in the dinner party scene. This “background” piece is easy to miss, and unlike the other two sculptures, it doesn’t have a fan nickname or an official title. In fact, if you blink, you might not notice it at all.

But for me? That just made it all the more intriguing.

The Sculpture Without a Name

Recreating this sculpture was no small feat. With no known title, minimal screen time, and zero behind-the-scenes material available online, this one demanded some detective work—and a lot of artistic guesswork.

Thanks to a few paused film stills and some obsessive combing through each frame, I was able to catch just enough detail to begin sketching out the structure. Unlike the more prominent sculptures that have developed nicknames and fan followings, this piece lives in the shadows, overshadowed both literally and figuratively by the animated table dancers.

Its form is strange, asymmetrical, and surprisingly subtle for a Delia Deetz original. But the fact that it wasn’t meant to be a main focal point gave me some freedom. It let me take creative liberties where references failed me—something I’ve grown more comfortable with as this series progresses.

And I’ll be honest—this one was a beast to build.

The Building Process: Armatures, Weight, and Structure

All three sculptures in my Delia Deetz series are made with a similar process: I begin with a custom-built metal armature, welded and designed to bear a significant amount of weight. These aren’t small tabletop figurines. They’re heavy, nearly life-size works that require thoughtful engineering to stay upright and balanced.

The base of each sculpture is weighted and reinforced, and the bulk of the form is shaped using a dense clay compound. This material gives me the ability to create bold contours and rough texture—much like the originals seen in the film. But it also makes each sculpture incredibly heavy. The combination of clay and metal means every build is physically demanding and time-consuming.

This third piece was no exception. Even though it wasn’t featured prominently in the movie, I treated it with the same attention and craftsmanship as the others. After all, these sculptures together represent a fuller picture of Delia Deetz’s world—one that Burton built with careful attention to character detail.

The Beetlejuice Documentary Connection

One of the more exciting parts of this project has been connecting with other fans and creatives in the Beetlejuice universe. I’m proud to share that Joshua Hudson Studio is an official sponsor of the upcoming documentary Documentary for the Recently Deceased—a deep dive into the making of Beetlejuice, packed with interviews, rare images, and never-before-seen footage.

When I heard about this project, I knew I had to be a part of it. Not only because I’m a long-time fan, but also because it aligns so perfectly with my current artistic direction.

Here’s the cool part: the filmmakers reached out to me about potentially featuring my sculptures in the film. It was a moment of excitement (and maybe a little vindication) for all the hours I’ve spent bringing Delia’s chaotic creations to life.

Unfortunately, they’re filming in a location far from Arkansas, where my studio is based. So for now, I’ll have to keep chasing that 15 minutes of fame. Still, just being contacted was an incredible experience, and I’m holding out hope that there might still be a way to collaborate down the line.

The Hope for Reference Photos

One of my biggest wishes for Documentary for the Recently Deceased is that it includes rare behind-the-scenes images of the Beetlejuice set—specifically, of the Delia Deetz sculptures. So far, the internet has provided only a handful of film stills. No alternate angles. No studio shots. No detailed props lists.

If the filmmakers managed to uncover high-res images or additional production photos that include the more obscure sculptures (like the one I just finished), I may need to revisit and possibly revise my work. Who knows—maybe an unseen appendage or texture is hiding just out of frame in the movie. If it’s revealed, I’d want my recreation to match the original as closely as possible.

That said, part of the fun of this process is embracing the unknown. Filling in the blanks with my own interpretations has added a unique flavor to the work—and I believe Delia herself would’ve approved of that.

What’s Next for Joshua Hudson Studio?

At this time, there are at least two more Delia Deetz sculptures that appear briefly in the film. You catch only a glimpse of them—enough to know they exist, but not enough to fully decipher them. As of now, I don’t plan to recreate those pieces.

The three sculptures I’ve completed were a massive undertaking—physically, creatively, and emotionally. Each required weeks of work, careful sculpting, and a whole lot of heavy lifting (literally and metaphorically). And as rewarding as it’s been, it’s also been one of the most labor-intensive projects I’ve tackled at Joshua Hudson Studio.

I may revisit the remaining pieces in the future, especially if the documentary uncovers more material. But for now, I’m thrilled with how far this project has come.

Final Thoughts: Why Delia Deetz Still Matters

Delia Deetz may have been played for laughs in Beetlejuice, but her art—odd, abstract, and unapologetically loud—has left a lasting impression on fans and artists alike. Recreating her work has allowed me to explore not only the world of the film, but also the relationship between pop culture and fine art.