Maman, Ottawa Travel Guide

Louise Bourgeois's Maman is a colossal sculpture that has become an iconic fixture in Ottawa's cultural landscape. Erected in front of the National Gallery of Canada in 2005, this bronze, stainless steel, and marble sculpture depicts a spider reaching over 30 feet in height. The sculpture portrays a female spider carrying a sac containing 32 marble eggs, representing fertility, nurture, and protection.Bourgeois created Maman in 1999 as a tribute to her mother, who worked in a tapestry restoration workshop. The spider symbolizes her mother's strength, protectiveness, and skills as a weaver. Although the sculpture's size can be intimidating, it evokes a sense of wonder and invites viewers to contemplate the complexities of motherhood.The National Gallery of Canada acquired Maman in 2004 for $3.2 million. While the purchase was initially met with some controversy, the sculpture has since become a celebrated symbol of the gallery and the city. Maman is one of six bronze casts made by Bourgeois, with other versions residing in cities around the world. A steel version is on display at the Tate Modern in London and scheduled for re-exhibition in May 2025.