The World’s Weirdest Public Art – Where Creativity Meets the Bizarre

All over the world, you find weird and wonderful statues, provocative street art, and public art that simply puzzles. The world encompasses a vast range of the strangest art that can inspire us, make us think, and sometimes horrify us. 

Public art is meant to inspire, provoke, and sometimes… completely baffle us. While statues of heroes and elegant sculptures have their place, some artists take a different approach—crafting installations so strange, surreal, or downright unsettling that they stop pedestrians in their tracks. From giant spiders lurking in city squares to upside-down traffic lights and peeing statues that write messages, the world is full of public art that defies logic, embraces absurdity, and challenges our sense of normalcy.

This isn’t just about shock value—these bizarre creations often carry deeper meanings, whether political satire, existential musings, or pure whimsy. Some make us laugh, others unsettle us, but all of them force us to pause and ask: What were they thinking? Buckle up as we explore the weirdest, wildest, and most wonderfully odd public art pieces across the globe.

Our world contains some of the most interesting monuments, sculptures, public works of art and strange installations everywhere. It doesn’t matter what part of the world you are in you will find a multitude of works both made by artists and nature that will intrigue, fascinate, offend and puzzle.

This small collection of some of the World’s weirdest public art has been compiled from travellers around the world.

Top 33 World’s Weirdest Public Art

Maman (Various Locations)

A 30-foot-tall spider sculpture with a sac of marble eggs. Creepy yet poetic (Bourgeois linked it to her mother).

The Knotted Gun – NYC, USA & Worldwide

A Colt Python revolver with a tied barrel—meant to symbolize peace, but looks like a melted toy.

De Vaartkapoen – Brussels, Belgium

A statue of a cop being tripped by a mischievous man popping out of a sewer. Playful anarchy!

The Shark House – Oxford, UK

A house with a giant shark crashed into its roof. A protest against war and nuclear weapons.

Shuttlecocks: Kansas City

Visiting the grounds of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City feels a bit like falling into Alice’s Wonderland. But instead of a game of croquet, visitors find themselves in the middle of a badminton game. That’s because four larger-than-life shuttlecocks adorn the lush, green lawn of the art museum grounds.

While the oversized birdies are now a beloved icon of both the museum and the city, that wasn’t always the case. When they were installed in 1994, the reviews were mixed. Some Kansas Citizens felt they were fun and whimsical while others thought they were “not art” and a waste of money.

The artists found their inspiration for the sculptures by combining images of Native American headdresses featured in a painting on display in the museum and the tennis court feel of the green space surrounding the Beaux-Arts building. Husband and wife duo, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, constructed their pop art sculptures of aluminum and fiberglass-reinforced plastic. Although each shuttlecock weighs nearly 5,000 pounds (2,270 kilos) and is nearly 20 feet (6 meters) tall, they look as lightweight as an actual birdie. Look for the orange-tipped, white-feathered structures in everything from Instagram selfies to formal portraits as visitors and locals embrace the fanciful sculptures in their photos. From Sage of EverydayWanderer.com

Verity: Ilfracombe, Devon

Damien Hirst‘s 66 ft bronze sculpture ‘verity’ can be found in Ilfracombe, Devon. the statue depicts a naked pregnant woman with half of her body exposing ligaments and viscera while holding aloft a sword and standing on a base of legal books. the piece – with ‘verity’ meaning ‘truth’ in Italian – represents a ‘modern allegory of truth and justice’ and references hirst’s earlier bronze artwork ‘virgin mother’ from 2005.

Giant Vegreville Egg: Alberta, Canada

In the small town of Vegreville Alberta, there is a giant Ukrainian-style Easter egg which is extremely well known to locals of Alberta. The Easter egg was constructed to pay tribute to the large Ukrainian settlements in the Alberta region of Canada and also to the 1975 centennial of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

I think any time you drive by the Yellow Head highway (where the egg is near) you need to stop by for 10 minutes or so to check out the egg! Checking out interesting little town things as I roam around more rural areas and capturing it for my Instagram travels makes exploring that much more fun! From Jason of MintHabits

Monumento al Mate: Chile

One of the weirdest monuments we’ve ever seen traveling was Monumento al Mate – a monument, about 3m in height, representing a big hand with a mate cup. The sculpture is located in the small town of Coyhaique, Patagonia, Chile. The tradition of drinking mate is an important part of Chilean culture and was very popular in the 19th century among the Gauchos (Patagonian cowboys).

Mate is a herbal drink that people in Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay drink from a mate cup (Matero) through a special metal straw (bombilla). The monument was placed there in honour of the first people (pioneers) that inhabited this rough region in the south of Chile.  Campbell & Alya at Stingy Nomads

Giant Vimto Bottle: Manchester, UK

In the centre of Manchester, next to the University of Manchester buildings, is one of the UK’s weirdest monuments. It’s a giant wooden statue of a Vimto soft drink bottle, surrounded by enormous representations of the fruit and herbs that go into the drink.

Brightly painted, it’s a much-loved local landmark and has sat on the spot where Vimto was first invented since 1992. 

Like more famous global drinks like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, Vimto has its roots in the temperance movement, and at one time there were Vimto “shops” around England’s North West as an alternative to pubs. The drink was invented in 1908 by a herbalist, and given the name “Vimtonic” as it was supposed to give the drinker “vim and vigor”. It’s still made in a factory not far from Manchester and although it’s most popular in the UK, Vimto is sold all over the world. From Helen at helenonherholidays

Marfa, Parda: West Texas, USA

In the heart of the West Texas desert, where people wear a lot more cowboy boots than high heels, you’ll find a Prada storefront next to the highway.

This Marfa Prada art installation was built with the idea that it would naturally decay and eventually return to nature’s natural form. Meanwhile, though, this desert Prada is a road tripper’s dream pit stop. If you find yourself in this corner of Texas you cannot miss the chance to stop for a photo here, even Beyonce has visited!

It’s a short drive from the nearby quirky artist’s oasis town of Marfa, hence the name Marfa Prada. In response to a previous robbery, the storefront houses only right-footed shoes and bottomless purses. Insects litter the floor and dust covers the shelves, as nature does indeed attempt to reclaim this tiny patch of desert land. From Erin at Solsalute

The Fremont Troll: Seattle USA

The Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge is known to all who live in Seattle and the PNW but it has become a tourist destination for people around the world! It was finished on Halloween in 1990 as a collaborative piece of art that encourages people to climb on it which isn’t normal for most art installations. Every year on Halloween the troll is celebrated by the community with a “Troll-o-ween” party. The party starts at the troll and wanders around visiting other weird sights in the Fremont neighborhood and beyond.

The troll has had some weird happenings throughout the years as well as a lot of graffiti and sometimes covered in trash or brush because of the location. What might be most interesting about the troll is that he is crushing a VW Beetle that used to have a California license plate (stolen). The car was a protest to all those outsiders that were changing the very fabric of Seattle. It also commemorated the fact that ever since the bridge was installed the locals reported seeing trolls. During that time the trolls were seen as bad but now they are celebrated including a Fremont Troll Facebook page. From Melissa at RouxRoamer

The Largest Ball of Twine: Minnesota, USA

The Largest Ball of Twine Rolled By One Man is nestled in downtown Darwin, Minnesota, with a booming population of 350. The Darwin Twine Ball began in 1950, was created solely by Francis A. Johnson.

He would diligently roll twine for four hours a day for the next 29 years. Johnson passed away but the town honoured his legacy by housing the 12-foot-wide, twine ball next to the town’s water tower.

There’s a rivalry between Cawker City, Kansas, and Darwin because both claim to be homes to the Largest Balls of Twine. Darwin residents assure that their twine ball is the best and has a more important legacy because the 9-ton ball was all rolled by one man.

Darwin’s Twine Ball is still an essential part of the town’s identity and is celebrated every August in the citywide festival Twine Ball Days. Nearby the city has erected a museum in the oddities glory that detail the life of Francis A. Johnson and his marvelous creation. from Martha at quirkyglobetrotter.com

Santa Claus: Rotterdam Netherlands

One of the strangest statues that I’ve ever seen is the statue by Paul McCartney called Santa Claus.  This weird statue depicts a Santa Claus-like figure holding a large dildo. Needless to say, the statue has been controversial.  

After a period of being hidden in the courtyard of Museum Boijmans van Beuningen at the request of the city council, this quirky statue now sits in public view in the city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.  Needless to say, it’s always a conversation piece that makes people laugh and has become a favourite of locals. You can find him in the centre of Eendrachtsplein on your next visit. From Karen at Wanderlustingk

Peeing statues: Prague

Prague is a city with life and a counter-culture history that goes beyond being a tourist draw. Just off the main tourist flow from Prague’s Old Town Square up to the castle is a museum to Franz Kafka where, in the courtyard, you’ll find two unique statues by the provocative Czech artist David Černý.

These statues are fountains in the usual sort where water is peed from the sculpted figures into a pool. Sure, peeing into a pool shaped like the country of Czechia is odd, but the unique thing is that the statues move at the waist and spell out literary quotes in the pool. Beyond this, you can even send things for them to spell via text message.

This totally fits with the more quirky artistic side of Prague that can get lost among the tourist hordes and pretty gothic spires. Being art, I expect you can interpret it as you’d like. Are they politicians pissing on the country or tourists doing the same? Or just drunks enjoying a night on the town? From Andy at TravelmadeSimple

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The Crown Fountain: Chicago

The Crown Fountain is one of the many unique sculptures in Chicago’s Millennium Park, and perhaps my favourite. It features two giant pillars with video screens that project the faces of local residents. Near the mouth area, there are fountains that spout water onto visitors. So, you may be standing there wondering what these giant faces are when you’re surprised with a shower of water!

The project is great because it fosters community interaction, gives people a gathering place on hot days, and showcases the diversity of local residents by featuring their faces on the videos as part of the sculpture. From Renee at Renee theWandress

Man at Work: Slovakia

Smack bang in the centre of Slovakia’s capital, you will find a friendly piece called Man at Work. The statue, which depicts a workman peering out from a manhole, is commonly called “Čumil” by locals, which roughly translates to “watcher”. He represents the life of a simple communist-era street laborer, with little work ethic and plenty of smiles, happily watching Bratislava pass him by. Having twice lost his head due to careless drivers, Čumil now has his very own road sign just above him.

Man at Work was created by Viktor Hulík and is one of four pieces commissioned in 1997 to celebrate Slovakia’s independence. All four pieces can be found within one mile of Slovakia’s most popular castle, Bratislavský hrad. From Alan at MorePassportstamps

Durian Statue: Kampot, Cambodia

On arriving in Cambodia’s sleepy riverside town of Kampot you’ll likely be surprised to see a huge durian statue in the middle of the town centre roundabout. There is however a very good reason behind this weird monument of the world’s stinkiest fruit. Along with its famous Kampot Pepper, Kampot is also famed for its durian.

The locals lives used to centre around durian, that was until the 1960’s when many durian orchards were burned by the Khmer Rouge to make way for rice paddies. Nowadays, however, Kampot is once again famous for durian farms and the locally grown fruits are renowned as being amongst the world’s best.

During durian season in May to July, you’ll find the local markets full of this fruit and for the die-hard fans (you either love it or hate it) there’s also durian ice-cream sticky rice with durian and coconut milk and durian crisps. So as you can see it’s no wonder this fruit has been honoured with its very own statue. From Tanya at Can Travel Will Travel

Mafalda: Buenos Aires Argentina

In the San Telmo area of Buenos, you will see a constant line of people waiting to have their photo taken sitting on a bench next to a statue of Mafalda.  “Who is Mafalda?”, you ask.  She is a six-year-old Argentinian comic strip character from the 1960s. 

The comic strip, drawn by Quino, ran from 1964 to 1973, but Mafalda has since become a cult character in Buenos Aires.  You can buy T-shirts, mugs, and lunch boxes and even see street art with her image.  She reflects the Argentinian middle class and progressive youth.  Her questioning and inquisitive nature, her constant challenging of the status quo, her adult-like pessimism, and her concern for humanity and world peace are timeless and strike a chord just as much today as they did several decades ago.  James Ian at Travel Collecting

Penis-shaped rock: Algarve, Portugal

I’ve been to the tiny town of Lagos in the Algarve, Portugal on three separate visits, but it wasn’t until the most recent trip that I visited the 17th-century maritime fortress, Forte da Ponta da Bandeira (a.k.a Ponta da Bandeira Fort).

Today, the museum is used to house artifacts from Portuguese discoveries. The entrance costs 2 euros per person, but it’s well worth it for a look around.

While visiting Ponta da Bandeira Fort, we saw everything from an enormous old anchor and model ships, to a 17th-century chapel and an art installation made from wind chimes.

Oh, and a large, tall stone that looked like a penis! This risqué structure erected (excuse the pun) in a small courtyard within Ponta da Madeira Fort is believed to store phallic energy, and touching the status is said to improve fertility. From Kacie at TheRareWelshbit

Bronze Breast: Amsterdam

The artist is unknown, but the choice of the place is undoubtedly well-known worldwide. Or should I say “infamous worldwide”? Um, both actually. The bronze breast being caressed by what seems to be a male hand lies among the cobblestones in the Red Light District.

To be more specific, it lies between the sex workers and Amsterdam’s oldest church. A mix of sin and virtue? Does the piece honour sex workers or is it a sexist piece? Well, I will leave it up to you.

Either way, the doctor, who designed this artwork in his (or her) free time, chose to remain anonymous. But while wandering through the streets of this liberal area, be sure to look for some Easter Eggs like this one. You might surprise yourself. From Bruna at Maps ‘N Bags

Haw Par Villa: Singapore

When the Aw brothers of Tiger Balm fame built a mansion in Singapore, they commissioned sculptures and dioramas to illustrate Chinese folk tales and values. The local tourism authorities added more when the compound became public property, turning it into a theme park called Haw Par Villa.

For the outsider to Chinese culture, it’s utterly bizarre. Half-human ghouls guard the entrance to the Ten Courts of Hell, which depicts the torments that await in hell in graphic detail. Elsewhere, among other values, piety is shown through the sculpture of a woman breastfeeding her elderly father. The polychrome only adds to the sense of kitsch. Is it suitable for families? Well, parents often edified their children by bringing them here…

At the moment, Har Par Villa is undergoing some renovations and will reopen in February 2019. When that happens, it’s worth a look, once you’re done with the major sights in Singapore. Admission is free and it’s right next to the eponymous MRT station. From Nicholas at Rambling Feet

“El Beso” (The Kiss): Lima, Perú

One of the most popular attractions in Lima, Perú is found in its most popular district, Miraflores. “El Beso” or The Kiss is a large 39 x 9-foot sculpture found in El Parque del Amor (Love Park). It depicts a kissing couple in love. 

Peruvian artist Víctor Delfín dedicated his masterpiece to love and subsequently, many newlyweds flock to the sculpture in their wedding attire to seal their marriage with a kiss! 

Fittingly enough, El Beso debuted on February 14, 1993, and each year on Valentine’s Day, thousands of people gather around the statue and there is a “Longest Kiss” competition that takes place for the couples in attendance! From Heather at Trimm Travels

The World’s Largest Rubber Stamp: Cleveland USA

The Free Stamp, also known as the world’s largest rubber stamp, is a sculpture located in the middle of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Aside from just being a cool-looking sculpture, the Free Stamp is also a great way to commemorate American history.

The stamp was commissioned by Standard Oil of Ohio (now BP) in 1982 and was designed by Claes Oldenburg and his wife Coosje van Bruggen.

Originally the stamp was to stand upright with the words hidden however Oldenburg wanted the message “Free,” representing the emancipation of American slaves during and after the Civil War to be visible.

The stamp was also supposed to sit in front of the new Standard Oil of Ohio building however after BP purchased the company they didn’t want the stamp in front of their BP Tower. BP donated the sculpture to the city of Cleveland in 1991 and it has been located in Willard Park ever since. From Constance at The Adventures of Panda Bear

Salvador Dali’s Diving Helmet: Uffington UK

Not far from the White Horse of Uffington, a chalk figure that dominates the hills in Oxfordshire, England, you’ll find the market town of Faringdon.  This Fair Trade town has all kinds of things to commend it, including a book exchange in a bright red phone box, a church tower with a massive history from the English Civil War, and even the most spectacular folly, a tower on a hill that’s well worth exploring.  You should, of course, do as requested and not feed the giraffes while you’re there.  

But in the centre of town, you’ll find something truly curious.  Like Faringdon Folly, it’s the result of the eccentric genius of Lord Berners, a writer, artist, and musician who kept an arty salon at his nearby home.  Among his regular visitors was Salvador Dali, and a bench in the town centre commemorates a bet between the two. 

The forfeit?  Salvador Dali was required to walk from Berners’ home to the town in full diving gear.  The marvelous diving helmet now emerges unexpectedly from a seating area that bears the inscription ‘Mistrust a man who never has an occasional flash of silliness’.  It’s just one of the many reasons Faringdon is well worth a detour.  From Bernadette at A Packed Life

The Kissing Sailor: San Diego USA

If you’re interested in seeing a famous smooch immortalized in bronze, head to San Diego! That’s where you’ll find Unconditional Surrender, a recreation of the famous Life magazine photograph depicting a kiss between a sailor and a nurse in Times Square after World War II.

A handful of these “kissing sailor” statues by artist Seward Johnson have been installed in cities around the world, but the most famous may be the one in the Port of San Diego. For more than a decade, a version of this statue has stood in Tuna Harbor Park near the USS Midway Museum.

The current sculpture, 25 feet tall and made of bronze, was installed in 2013 as a replacement for the initial foam-urethane model. This piece continues to draw lots of attention from tourists as a quirky monument to a famous moment in American history.

Blue Whale of Catoosa: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Route 66 is known for its kitschy roadside attractions, and one of the most popular is the Blue Whale of Catoosa. Located east of Tulsa, Oklahoma, it was originally built as a surprise anniversary gift. Zelta Davis collected whale figurines, so her husband, Hugh, thought she might like a giant one of her very own. It quickly became a popular swimming hole for friends and family. The couple began adding attractions to Blue, including a petting zoo and reptiles, eventually calling it the Animal Reptile Kingdom.

After many years interest waned, and by 1988 the now-elderly couple could no longer maintain the property. For many years it was neglected, but in the early 2000s their son revitalized interest in the Blue Whale. There’s now a community that repaints the structure and hosts an annual fundraiser. There’s also a souvenir stand on-site, so you can take a little bit of Blue home with you. From Theresa of The Local Tourist

The Wawa Goose: Ontario Canada

If you’re looking to take a “gander” at a pretty large roadside bird, head to Wawa, Ontario to snap your photo with the famous “Wawa Goose”! Originally completed in the 1960s, this giant Canada goose statue was erected to commemorate the long-awaited connection of two major highways. In addition, the town folk wanted to get visitors to stop to spend a bit of money in the town!

Sure enough, decades later the Wawa Goose has stopped millions of tourists for a classic photograph under its winged stance. The original was actually created out of plaster but the current version is made of steel – a nod to the town’s history of iron ore mining. So, if you’re passing through parts of northern Ontario, Canada be sure to stop and see the goose! from Eric and Lisa of Ontario Away

Paper Bag: Adelaide Australia

On the main boulevard in Adelaide, South Australia, amongst the formal statues of men on horses, kings, and queens, and the heads of noteworthy people is this unusual sculpture of a paper bag. On the plaque next to it, there is little mention of its history or purpose, just that the artwork is called “Paper Bag”.

It is by Michelle Nikou and is part of the Adelaide City Bike Art Trail. Thousands of people walk past this unassuming piece of artwork each day, and most of them probably don’t even notice it. Those that do, must surely wonder how and why this sculpture came to be in such a position of prominence – just like I do. From Josie at Josie Wanders

The Unusual in Prague: Czech Republic

Prague is a beautiful fairytale city to visit, but beware there are a few strange and unusual things to see. For example, this Upside Down Dead Horse ridden by King Wenceslas. It is in the Lucerna Palace arcade off Wenceslas Square. Prague-born artist Mr. David Černý designed it. Mr. Cerny has done several unusual sculptures including the one for the London Olympics, a double-decker bus with arms.

The king was born in 907, and he was referred to as the “Good King Wenceslas.” He was given the title of king posthumously and later became the patron saint of the Czech Republic.

Wenceslas Square is a must-visit and wander area of Prague. At one end in front of the National Museum is another sculpture of King Wenceslas riding a right-side-up horse. It is a very popular statue to photograph, especially at sunset. From Cynthia at Blue Bag Nomads

Girl on a Rooster: Havana, Cuba

One of the strangest monuments I’ve ever seen is the Girl on Rooster statue by Roberto Fabelo. This unique statue stands in the middle of Plaza Vieja, a large recently renovated plaza in Old Havana, Cuba. 

I have heard many different explanations for this statue. One is that it portrays a dream after a night of revelry. Another is that it represents nothing at all, just the artist’s wandering mind and hands. Whatever the explanation, it is certainly unusual and a conversation piece.

The square where this statue is found is called Plaza Vieja or Old Square.  It is the site of the ancient slave market in Havana. Today this colonial square has been renovated to resemble what the plaza looked like during colonial times.

Plaza Vieja is now a major tourist draw surrounded by little restaurants and cafeterias on all sides. There is a pretty good brewery on one end and a wonderful ice cream vendor on another. Best of all, there is music playing at all the restaurants. It is definitely worth a visit. From Talek at  Travels with Talek 

Wooden Scooter: Congo, Africa

Not only great men and women are the ones that have the honour of being the subject of a monument. Goma, a city in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has a unique monument that might surprise you. It is a monument dedicated to the Chukudu, a wooden scooter that and looks like something straight out of the Flinstones era.

These very rudimentary and oftentimes homemade scooters can sometimes carry up to 1300 pounds of cargo! They have a base where people can use to transport heavy loads or use as transportation for themselves. It has been described as the “pick up truck of Congo” and are a symbol of ingenuity, hard work, and helping people get out of poverty. 

With a Chukudu, people can earn up to $10 a day in a country where most people live on less than $2 a day. This combined with them becoming a sensation proved enough to get these scooters their own monument!   From Alejandro of Please Live Your Dream 

Carhenge: Nebraska U.S.A

Stonehenge is one of the most coveted places to visit in the world.  But move over Stonehenge, there’s another unexpected and equally strange monument: CARHENGE!

Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like.  Somewhere in the middle of America (literally, smack dab in the middle of the US in the state of Nebraska) is the monument that almost perfectly resembles the ancient Stonehenge, but instead of rock and stone, it is made from grey spray-painted vintage cars!  It includes all 38 original structures that the real Stonehenge has and is almost the perfect size as well.  

What started as a quirky monument to the artist’s father has become a fun pit stop for road trippers across the US and a great way to bring more travellers and tourists to the often overlooked state of Nebraska. From LeAnna at Well Traveled Nebraskan

Jeju Loveland: Korea

Has anyone heard of Jeju Loveland in Korea? Loveland is the #1 Most Bizarre Park in the World.   Ranging from the erotic to the simply weird and strange this sculpture theme park is based on sensuality and eroticism. The spacious park (39,667 m²) is home to over 140 sculptures (40 within the gallery and 100 outside). The park as a whole looks like a piece of land art.

Jeju Loveland is open every day and it usually takes 30-40 minutes to look around the park. Jeju Loveland houses a glass-dome restaurant, an outdoor café, an art shop, and various works which visitors can touch. Jeju Loveland is an attractive place where eroticism is approached in an artistic and witty manner.

Celebrating the Unconventional – Why Weird Art Matters

The world’s strangest public art proves that creativity doesn’t have to be serious to be meaningful. These bizarre installations—whether a shark crashing into a house, a giant blue rooster looming over a city, or a pair of peeing statues—remind us that art can be playful, provocative, and even a little ridiculous. They disrupt our daily routines, spark conversations, and challenge us to see the world differently.

In a way, the weirdest public art is also the most democratic. It doesn’t demand reverence; it invites reactions—laughter, confusion, or even outrage. And that’s the point. Whether you love them or hate them, these pieces linger in your memory long after you’ve walked away. So next time you stumble upon a head-scratching sculpture, take a moment to appreciate it. After all, in a world full of predictable monuments, a little weirdness goes a long way.

What’s the strangest public art you’ve ever seen? Let us know—we’re always hunting for the next great oddity!