Gertie’s Ghost / Tacoma Gateway – Site-Specific Public Sculpture
Commissioned by Sound Transit’s Percent for Art Program, Gertie’s Ghost is a monumental gateway sculpture designed to welcome commuters and honor the industrial and mythological history of Tacoma, Washington. Installed in 2013 alongside the renovated commuter rail extension, the work was conceived by lead artists Sean Orlando and David Shulman in deep collaboration with community stakeholders.
The large-scale public sculpture features eight towering octopus tentacles, rising from the earth in a sweeping formation that evokes both movement and transformation. The form draws inspiration from classic railroad truss bridges and the enduring legend of the massive octopus rumored to live beneath the Tacoma Narrows Bridge—locally known as “Galloping Gertie.” Together, the sculpture’s scale, motion, and placement root it in the region’s past while projecting a bold vision of its future.
Engineered and fabricated by Engineered Artworks, the sculpture’s riveted Corten steel construction and integrated lighting elements make it both visually dynamic and structurally robust. This iconic work exemplifies public art fabrication that is site-responsive, narrative-driven, and built for long-term community impact.
Lead Artists: Sean Orlando, David Shulman
Fabrication: Engineered Artworks
Transport: Artifact Logistics
Commissioned by: Sound Transit Percent for Art Program
Specs:
Riveted Corten steel, integrated landscaping and lighting
Dimensions: 12’ x 100’ x 50’