Buffalo, NY—As you stroll along the picturesque waterfront at Canalside, you’ll likely encounter various art installations and sculptures. But none has captured the hearts of visitors quite like Shark Girl, a whimsical yet thought-provoking piece by artist Casey Riordan Millard.
Shark Girl is a fiberglass and steel sculpture that was installed at Canalside in 2014. The statue features a young girl’s body dressed in Sunday best, with the surprising addition of a shark’s head. The work invites passersby to sit next to her on a park bench and ponder the paradoxes she embodies. Is she menacing or friendly? A figment of fantasy or a symbol of reality?
Casey Riordan Millard, the artist responsible for creating Shark Girl, has said the sculpture represents the anxieties and vulnerabilities we all face in life. “Shark Girl confronts you with something unexpected, maybe reminding you of personal fears or unfulfilled dreams,” Millard notes. “But she’s also accessible and friendly, offering a seat beside her.”
Since her installation, Shark Girl has become something of a social media sensation. Tourists and locals alike snap photos beside her, often sharing their encounters with hashtags like #SharkGirl or #CanalsideBuffalo. The public’s embrace of Shark Girl has not only added to Canalside’s attraction but also sparked conversations about public art’s role in community engagement.
The story of Shark Girl goes beyond her bench at Canalside. She has become an integral part of Buffalo’s cultural and artistic landscape, prompting discussions on inclusivity, vulnerability, and the human condition. Whether you find her amusing, confounding, or downright bewildering, one thing is clear: Shark Girl has secured her place as a must-see Buffalo attraction, as emblematic of the city’s renewal and spirit as the waterfront itself.
For those who have yet to experience the enigma that is Shark Girl, a visit to Canalside is incomplete without a moment spent beside this intriguing Buffalo icon.