Welcome to the Aquarium of the Bay’s “Sea Lions in San Francisco” public art display
In the summer of 2019, the Aquarium of the Bay selected and commissioned artists from all over the Bay Area to paint 30 distinct, unique sea lion statues to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the sea lions’ presence at San Francisco’s famed Pier 39. Just 8 years old at the time of selection, Aria Luna is the youngest artist to be invited to take part in this initiative.
Launched January 2020, the Sea Lions public art exhibit runs through the end of the year. The statues are positioned at or near Pier 39 and along the Embarcadero in San Francisco. Here’s a map you can explore to see all of the locations. Right now Pier 39 is closed for business until May 31, but if you’re able to take a walk along the waterfront, you’ll be able to see many of the sea lions!
Sea Lions is Aria Luna’s third public exhibit and her first public art commission. Each sea lion statue is made of thick fiberglass and is six feet tall by five feet long. Aria Luna has named her sea lion Deep Blue. The body of Deep Blue depicts the diversity of marine life in the ecosystem sea lions inhabit, while the rock she sits on represents the sea lions’ migratory routes along the west coast of the United States and Mexico.
Get a special peek into the warehouse where Deep Blue was painted over a period of several days in September 2019.