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The Maman Statue










Overview
Opening Hours
- While the National Gallery of Canada has specific visiting hours, the Maman sculpture is entirely outdoors—meaning it’s accessible 24/7, all year round. Whether you want to see it in the glow of morning sun, surrounded by falling snow, or lit dramatically at night, the statue offers a different experience every time.
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In front of the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa stands a giant spider. It is not something that is expected to be loved yet many people do. Children run underneath it, visitors marvel at its spindly legs, and photographers wait patiently for just the right light to hit its towering bronze frame. This is Maman, a sculpture created by Louise Bourgeois, and it’s unlike anything else you’ll find in the capital.
Maman—which means “Mommy” in French—is more than a sculpture. It’s a conversation piece. A memory. A tribute. At over 30 feet tall, crafted from bronze, stainless steel, and marble, it’s one of the largest modern art sculptures in the world—and one of the most personal.
See the Maman Statue & So Much More on the Best of Ottawa Walking Tour with Boat Cruise!
What to Know
The Maman Statue isn’t just about scale—it’s about story. Louise Bourgeois created the original in 1999 as part of a commission for the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall in London. What followed was a series of bronze castings, one of which made its permanent home in Ottawa, nestled proudly in front of the National Gallery of Canada.
At first glance, the towering spider may seem menacing. But look closer: suspended beneath the abdomen and thorax is a sac carrying 32 marble eggs—delicate, vulnerable, protected. This juxtaposition of power and tenderness is no accident. The sculpture is a deeply intimate reflection of Bourgeois’ own mother, Josephine, who worked in tapestry restoration and ran her husband’s textile repair workshop. In the same way spiders spin and mend, so did her mother.
How to Get There
You’ll find Maman just outside the main entrance of the National Gallery of Canada in downtown Ottawa. The location is hard to miss—its silhouette rises dramatically against the backdrop of the gallery’s glass facade, and just steps from Parliament Hill.
By foot:
Easily walkable from most downtown attractions and hotels. If you love walking, we have a tour for you! The Best of Ottawa Walking Tour with Boat Cruise is a fantastic package featuring The Maman Statue, Byward Market, Rideau Hall, and so much more!
By public transit:
Several OC Transpo routes stop near the gallery, including routes along Sussex Drive.
By car:
Paid parking is available at the National Gallery underground garage or nearby lots.
Best Time to Visit
Each season in Ottawa casts Maman in a different light. Spring brings a sense of rebirth, with tulips blooming around the base. Summer sees it buzzing with tourists and families. In fall, the surrounding trees add fiery backdrops to photos. And in winter, the snow adds a quiet softness to the spider’s commanding form.
For those who love photography or simply want the space to themselves, early mornings or weekday visits are ideal.
Highlights & Features
Stunning Size:
Over 30 feet high and 33 feet wide, its sheer scale makes it one of the largest sculptures of its kind.
Crafted from Bronze, Stainless Steel, and Marble:
The use of steel and marble reflects both durability and delicacy.
The Egg Sac:
Suspended beneath the spider’s body is a sac containing 32 marble eggs, a symbol of life, nurture, and fragility.
Outdoor Accessibility:
You can experience the sculpture day or night, in all seasons, completely free of charge.
Perfect Location:
Positioned in front of the National Gallery of Canada, making it a perfect stop on any art or cultural itinerary.
Fun Facts
A Global Icon:
The original Maman was created for the Turbine Hall of London’s Tate Modern in 2000. Today, versions of the sculpture appear in cities around the world—but the Ottawa one is arguably the most photogenic.
A Lifelong Theme:
The spider first appeared in Louise Bourgeois’ art as a small ink and charcoal drawing in 1947, long before the monumental sculptures came to life.
Deeply Personal Origins:
Bourgeois’ mother passed away when the artist was 21, a loss that left a lifelong mark. Her mother’s role as a weaver and restorer of tapestries became the emotional and symbolic thread behind the spider.
More Than a Spider:
For Bourgeois, the spider wasn’t a creature of fear—it was a nurturing and protective symbol, clever and essential, much like her mother.
Metaphors in Metal:
Maman is layered with metaphors—spinning, weaving, protecting, and rebuilding—all drawn from the language of textiles and the art of mending.
Public Favorite:
Despite its unusual form, the statue has become one of Ottawa’s most beloved photo ops. You’ll often see people standing beneath it, marveling at the contrast between its giant limbs and the fragile eggs it holds.
A Short History (Without the Boredom)
Louise Bourgeois created Maman at the end of the 20th century, but its story begins decades earlier. As a child in Paris, Louise grew up surrounded by textiles. Her mother worked in tapestry restoration, a craft of patience and precision. When her mother died, it shattered her world. Years later, she would channel that grief—and admiration—into the image of a spider.
The sculpture is not just about mourning. It’s about strength. A celebration of a woman who spun her way through life, repairing and rebuilding. In Maman, we see not just a spider but a protector, a builder, a mother.
This mix of modern art with raw emotion is what makes Maman unforgettable. It’s a sculpture that towers over you, but also reaches into you.
Final Thoughts
Standing beneath The Maman Statue in Ottawa is a strange and beautiful experience. It’s at once alien and familiar—an unlikely tribute cast in metal and stone that somehow feels warm and human. Whether you're an art lover, a curious traveler, or just someone who stumbled upon it while exploring the capital, Maman will stop you in your tracks.
Come with an open mind. Leave with a full heart.
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