Desert Shark
-ON DISPLAY NOW-
Desert Shark is a striking, large-scale mosaic sculpture by Nevada-based artist Peter Hazel, crafted from custom hand-laid tile over a reinforced steel frame. Originally debuted at Burning Man, this colorful, playful shark now makes its way to San Francisco’s waterfront, where it finds a natural connection to the city’s maritime identity. Situated at Pier 45 Plaza, just bayside of the Taylor Street and Embarcadero intersection, the work nods to the area's rich fishing history and celebrates its location at the edge of the Bay.
With its joyful scale and vibrant presence, Desert Shark is a playful yet iconic addition to the Embarcadero—honoring San Francisco’s connection to the sea while offering a whimsical photo opportunity for locals and visitors alike.
About the Artist
Over the past decade, Peter Hazel has produced magnificent large sculptures installed all around the country.
Peter fell in love with the wonders of the sea and nature growing up in the picturesque community of Half Moon Bay, California. As a child, he attended art shows with his father, Richard Hazel, a well-known oil painter. After leaving Half Moon Bay, Peter lived and raised a family in North Lake Tahoe where he had a career as a tile contractor for 35 years. While visiting Barcelona in 2008 and viewing Antoni Gaudi’s intricate and elaborate architecture he was inspired to begin creations of his own and would eventually pass on his tile business to his son Jimmy.
Peter’s collection invites you to interact and admire the beauty of modern art and sculpting using ceramics, colorful glass, steel, and carpentry. He is famous for his massive jellyfish, crocodile, and octopus installed over the years at Burning Man events in the Black Rock Desert of Northern Nevada.
Peter’s studio and headquarters are currently located at Artech, a creative development center in Northeast Reno near the Truckee River.