When you visit the main entrance of the Shedd Aquarium, you’ll encounter a striking and somewhat surreal centerpiece: a 16-foot-tall painted bronze sculpture of a man in a white-collared shirt and black trousers, holding tightly to a massive fish that spouts a continuous geyser of water from its mouth.
The 16-foot sculpture outside the Shedd Aquarium continues to baffle visitors
This impressive piece, officially titled “Man with Fish,” was installed in September 2001. It was created by German sculptor Stephan Balkenhol, known for crafting public monuments featuring humans and animals in unexpected, often stoic arrangements—such as a man riding a giraffe or casually standing atop a giant golden sphere.
This installation in Chicago was funded and gifted to the aquarium by a private donor in honor of his wife. The artwork symbolizes humanity’s enduring love for aquatic life and serves as a visual reminder of our responsibility to protect marine environments.
While the installation conveys an important environmental message, it frequently sparks debate among locals and tourists alike. Public opinion on the artistic direction is divided; many appreciate the fountain’s whimsical, colorful nature, especially when the water catches the sunlight. However, some visitors find the expressionless man and his giant fish companion an unusually strange, even baffling, greeting in the aquarium’s main plaza.
