BIG LADY
‘Obscene’ statue sparks outrage in US city once deemed a woke enclave as 45ft naked woman towers over major public plaza
The statue was originally intended to be transported to New York
A MASSIVE statue of a naked woman has triggered fury after being plonked in a busy city plaza reportedly without public input.
The 45-foot-tall, 32,000-pound sculpture shows a woman with her arms out, standing fully nude in one of San Francisco's most iconic locations.
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Locals were blindsided when it appeared at Embarcadero Plaza in April.
The display was allowed to skip public comment because it’s privately funded, and it hasn't gone down well with everyone.
“Somebody put up a 45' naked lady statue in San Francisco, nobody asked for it,” one X user wrote.
"I'd rather have another $1.7 million public restroom. Y'Know, something more practical," added another.
“Now you have to walk between her legs to get from the Ferry Building to the Embarcadero.”
"This is going to block the iconic view of the Ferry Bldg. from Market St.?" someone asked.
The towering figure, titled R-Evolution, was first unveiled at Burning Man in 2015.
After Burning Man, the sculpture was intended to head to New York's Union Square, but it was deemed too heavy for the site.
Most read in The US Sun
As of April 2025, the sculpture is hovering over Market Street just steps away from the bay, and is on display through October.
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For one hour each day, between 5 and 6 pm, her chest slowly rises and falls due to built-in electronics.
“Who funded this dumb a** s**t?” one furious commenter asked as photos of the statue spread online.
Many argue it sends a grotesque message in a city battling gentrification and displacement, reported.
Local street artists were temporarily booted to make room for it.
R-Evolution Specs
Height: 45 feet
Weight: 32,000 pounds
Location: Embarcadero Plaza, San Francisco
Creator: Marco Cochrane
Model: Deja Solis
First Unveiled: Burning Man, 2015
Recent Stops: Miami Beach, FL (2024)
Display Period: April–October 2025
Availability: Sculpture is up for sale or lease
Purpose: Described as a symbol of feminine strength and liberation
Special Feature: Statue "breathes" daily from 5–6 pm via built-in electronics
The hope is that R-Evolution will "activate the space" and create an environment that encourages foot traffic from locals and tourists alike, according to the San Francisco .
“Public art is a vital part of San Francisco’s cultural identity, embodying the city’s diverse and creative spirit,” Ralph Remington, the department's director of cultural affairs, said in a press release.
He said the installation is meant to reflect the city's spirit of "bringing people together, activating public space, and reinforcing the power of art to spark conversation, inspire connection, and revitalize our shared urban landscape.”
THE ARTIST'S STATEMENT
Though pitched as a symbol of female empowerment, some have pointed out the piece wasn't even created by a woman.
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The artist behind R-Evolution, 63-year-old Marco Cochrane, says it’s about shifting perspectives on gender and power.
“My mother was a feminist,” Cochrane wrote of the sculpture on his .
“She handed off the torch to me about bringing feminine energy into the world.”
The wire sculpture is based on model Deja Solis and aims to show her "just breathing."
But to some, it's simply an eyesore in the middle of a city facing big challenges.
San Francisco is still struggling with empty office buildings and falling foot traffic in a post-pandemic world.
More than a third of office space sits vacant, according to researchers.
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R-Evolution was brought in by the San Francisco Arts Association as part of a $300,000 effort to lure people downtown.
The project is backed by the Sijbrandij Foundation and produced by Building 180, a female-led art organization.
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