25 years after its installation, artist Pat Wickline reflects on the inspiration, challenges, and unexpected journey behind one of the Market’s most beloved art pieces.
Pike Place Market is known for its iconic sights, eccentric entertainment, and unknown surprises hidden around every corner, but few visitors know the history behind one of the Market’s most elusive works of public art: the Seattle Squid. Tucked away in a quiet area of the Market, the 200-pound copper and steel sculpture can be found floating 30 feet above the Economy Atrium, delighting unsuspecting visitors wandering through.
Why a Giant Squid?
The story of the Seattle Squid began in 2000 when the Market commissioned artist Pat Wickline to create a piece for the Economy Atrium. Originally given just three short weeks to create something, Wickline was unsure of where to start, but embraced the opportunity to create art for one of Seattle’s most iconic destinations. Inspiration struck after he created a small-scale abstract model of the giant squid for a friend after reading Richard Ellis’ The Search for the Giant Squid. The mysterious nature of the legendary deep-sea creature combined with the Market’s maritime roots made it the perfect fit.
Bringing the Creation to Life
What began as a straightforward project on a tight deadline quickly became something much bigger. A series of delays, including the Nisqually earthquake, which put everything on hold for months while the Market was inspected for structural safety, gave Wickline the time to dream big and actualize the massive art piece.
To bring the giant squid to life, Wickline spent months researching, experimenting, and learning the repousse technique – this process of hammering sheets of copper into large wooden molds or plaster forms is the same technique used to create the Statue of Liberty. Wickline also worked with an engineer to design the arms of the squid using principles utilized in creating helicopter blades.
The creation of the sculpture was especially visionary for its time, as giant squids had never been photographed alive in their natural habitat when Wickline took on the challenge of immortalizing this elusive sea creature in action. Despite the limited documentation available, Wickline crafted a strikingly realistic interpretation of one of the world’s most mysterious creatures.
After months of hard work, the 26-foot-long Seattle Squid was set to be installed on September 10, 2001. Production of the sculpture came down to the wire, and friends and fellow artists came out of the woodwork to help Wickline cross the finish line. The squid officially found its new home in the early morning hours of September 11, 2001. Plans for a public unveiling were later postponed out of respect for the tragic events that unfolded that day.
25 years later, the Seattle Squid continues to surprise curious visitors, inspire creativity, and stand as a testament to the perseverance and unexpected discoveries that make Pike Place Market such a special place.
To mark the sculpture’s anniversary, Wickline shared his reflections on its meaning, legacy, and enduring appeal.
Artist Q & A with Pat Wickline
What does it mean to you to have the Seattle Squid call Pike Place Market home?
What does it mean to you to have the Seattle Squid call Pike Place Market home?
“There are fewer and fewer places that still have the soulfulness of old Seattle, and the Pike Place Market is the biggest one. So, it’s deeply gratifying to have contributed to it in my own small way. Also, it stands as a visible reminder to me of how I seized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and overcame huge obstacles to realize a creative vision.”
What do you hope Pike Place Market visitors take away from the squid?
What do you hope Pike Place Market visitors take away from the squid?
“That is very much up to them, and I don’t want to get in the way! I just hope it can be a source of discovery and surprise and that people can connect with it in their own way. I love hearing from people who keep going back to visit it, who like how it flows in the room, evoking the deep sea or Jules Verne, or just marvel at the tentacles. For some kids, it’s the cool monster living in the market with its buddy Sasquatch. That’s how I would have reacted as a kid.”
How do you hope the squid's legacy lives on?
How do you hope the squid's legacy lives on?
“The sculpture has always had a life of its own. There was some publicity when it first went up, but since then I’ve done little to promote it. I made it, released it, and the rest has happened organically. So as far as legacy, I’m looking forward to seeing how that continues to unfold.”
Celebrating 25 Years of the Seattle Squid
The Seattle Squid has remained a mysterious part of the Market’s history and charm since its installation in 2001, and now the artist and Pike Place Market PDA invite the community to celebrate its 25th anniversary on Saturday, October 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The free event will include an artist meet-and-greet with Squid artist Pat Wickline, artist demonstrations by Stacey Sterling of Basilic Art, educational activities, and opportunities to learn more about one of the Market’s most unique works of public art.
Learn more about the event here.
Pike Place Market remains committed to supporting artists and creators of all mediums and backgrounds and to being a hub for creativity, culture, and community.