The Ugly Grouper, Anna Maria Island, Florida

by Liesl Walsh

Title

The Ugly Grouper, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Artist

Liesl Walsh

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photograph

Description

The largest grouper in the world!! This metal sculpture sits at The Ugly Grouper, a funky outdoor restaurant on Anna Maria Island, Florida.

This big Ugly Grouper sculpture weighs 3,180 pounds, is 20 feet long, 14 feet tall, and 10 feet wide. This sculpture was made by artists in Tampa, Florida with Rustic Steel Creations from parts of used cars, Harley Davidson motorcycles, and other found objects. The design looks like a patchwork quilt of metal. Transporting this big sculpture from Tampa to Anna Maria Island created excitement with sightings of a giant grouper going down the road before it was put in place with a crane.

Some of the objects used to create this sculpture are: motorcycle rotors, license plates from Indiana and Florida, shock absorbers, horseshoe, chrome bumper, chrome exhaust pipes, stop sign, salad bowls, motorcycle fenders, chain saw guide, AC top, spatula, stainless steel chain, motorcycle foot rests and chain, hearts, number 8, copper cooling system, crock pot top, and air vents. This can be seen from the road and is quite an eye-catcher!

This is the artist statement about the sculpture: "The creation of the Ugly Grouper all started with the vision of the chrome teeth, some over here and some over there. I had the exact pieces for the teeth, a chrome GMC truck bumper, all I needed was that one inspiration and go from there. The huge bug eyes speak for themselves, also an inspiration from Finding Nemo, eyelids composed of Harley Davidson fenders, the motorcycle rotors which the fins are composed of add a great dimension to the piece. Various found objects is what most individuals will be able to identify immediately and most of all can and will relate to. This fish is a Happy Fish and going to a Happy place, even though he is called the Ugly Grouper he will never be forgotten, this will be a major photo op for all who stand in front of him."

Hand made signs and a corn hole game add to this fun space.

Anna Maria Island is a beautiful quaint seaside town near Bradenton on the west coast of Florida. It has the Old Florida feel that people love so much. Anna Maria Island sits on the Gulf of Mexico and is near the entrance of Tampa Bay. It's a popular place for tourists because of it's charm and beautiful aqua waters.

I also have another version of this photo that is edited in a painterly style with brush strokes and canvas texture.

SOLD:
2 x 2 Sticker to buyer in Sunman, IN on 6-3-2023. Thank you!
500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle to buyer in Oakwood Village, Ohio on 3-17-2024. Thank you!
500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle to buyer in Mount Joy, PA on 3-20-2024. Thank you!

Uploaded

July 24th, 2022

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