Octavius
-ON DISPLAY NOW-
Octavius, a 7-foot-tall, 24-foot-wide, and 30-foot-long octopus sculpture by artist Peter Hazel, is a vibrant celebration of marine life and human craftsmanship. Adorned with thousands of handmade and painted mosaics—with no cuts, each edge high-fired to vitrify the clay—the piece is exceptionally resistant to weather, ensuring water cannot penetrate the ceramics. Manufactured by Hazel’s own art company and illuminated with internal LED lights, the sculpture merges intricate artistry with dynamic illumination to create a striking, interactive experience. Its fused glass suction cups and eyes enhance both its lifelike and fantastical qualities, inviting viewers to marvel at the wonders of the sea.
Growing up in Half Moon Bay, California, Hazel developed a deep appreciation for the ocean and its mysteries, which continue to inspire much of his work. His artistic journey began after a transformative visit to Barcelona, where Antoni Gaudí’s elaborate, nature-inspired designs ignited his passion for creating large-scale, tile-based sculptures. With Octavius, Hazel combines decades of experience as a tile contractor with his artistic vision, crafting a piece that is monumental in scale yet intimate in its attention to detail.
Hazel envisions Octavius as a perfect addition to Ocean Beach in San Francisco, evoking the majesty of the nearby Pacific Ocean and honoring the city’s deep connection to nature and art. The sculpture’s vivid colors and inviting textures encourage interaction and reflection, drawing viewers into a playful, awe-inspiring relationship with the environment.
Through Octavius and his other works, Hazel seeks to create spaces where people can connect with art, nature, and their own sense of wonder—transforming public spaces into dynamic, joyful experiences.
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.
