Borough of Bay Head

Since 2024, Seward Johnson’s Wharf Rat has welcomed residents and visitors to Bay Head, New Jersey, where the sculpture is installed in the plaza along Bridge Avenue. Depicting a sailor returning from the sea and waving to those passing by, the work brings a familiar, approachable figure into the everyday landscape of the community.

Part of Johnson’s Celebrating the Familiar series, Wharf Rat reflects the artist’s interest in the ordinary moments and everyday encounters that make life meaningful. Inspired by Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Florida, the sculpture also speaks to the enduring relationship between people and the sea.

In Bay Head, Wharf Rat has become part of the rhythm of the community, greeting those walking along Bridge Avenue and inviting a moment of connection. The sculpture has even become part of the town’s annual holiday traditions, when Wharf Rat gets dressed up for the community’s holiday walk.

Through his public sculpture, Johnson encouraged people to slow down, spend time outdoors, and find opportunities for connection in familiar surroundings. Wharf Rat embodies that spirit, offering a welcoming presence and a playful point of connection within the community.