Chicago Public Art
Shit Fountain: Chicago’s Bronze Tribute to Responsible Pet Ownership
Chicago, Illinois, United States
By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published · Updated
Why it’s cool
This bronze sculpture turns a common urban nuisance into a high-art statement, serving as both a playful jab at neighborhood dogs and a permanent reminder for owners to keep the sidewalks clean.
Chicago’s West Town neighborhood is home to a piece of public art that trades classical elegance for a very specific kind of realism. Perched atop a sandstone pedestal where one might expect a Roman statesman, a gleaming bronze sculpture of canine excrement greets passersby.
Known locally as the Shit Fountain, this unconventional installation serves as a permanent, winking reminder to the community’s dog owners.
Why It Stands Out
Created by artist Jerzy S. Kenar, the fountain was born out of a practical frustration.
After repeatedly finding his sidewalk flowers trampled or used as a restroom by neighborhood pets, Kenar decided to immortalize the problem in metal. The sculpture is crafted with surprising detail, mimicking the texture of its subject matter while slowly trickling water into a basin below.
The International Museum of Surgical Science similarly explores the visceral reality of its subject matter. It sits roughly three feet high, mimicking the proportions of a traditional Grecian bust, which only adds to the absurdity of the display.
What makes the piece particularly striking is the background of its creator. Kenar is a respected artist primarily known for his serious religious and political commissions, including church architecture and tributes to Black history.
This departure into the scatological is a testament to his sense of humor. Those interested in eccentric art may also enjoy Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities.
Despite its potentially offensive subject, the fountain has become a beloved local landmark, garnering almost no public outcry. Because it is situated on Kenar’s private property, it bypasses city censorship, standing as a quiet, bronze protest against the lack of pooper-scoopers in the city.
While the neighborhood dogs may not appreciate the artistic irony, their owners certainly do.
Before You Go
The sculpture is located on a residential street and is easily visible from the sidewalk. While it is technically a fountain, the water flow is often a gentle trickle rather than a dramatic spray.
Since it resides on private property, visitors should remain on the public walkway while viewing the piece. It is a quick stop, perfect for those exploring the local art scene or looking for a quirky photo opportunity in the city.
Another local spot with unique bronze figures is Oz Park.
Questions worth answering
What was the motivation behind such a graphic sculpture?
The artist, Jerzy S. Kenar, got tired of people letting their pets ruin his flowers. He cast the nuisance in bronze as a permanent message to the neighborhood's dog owners.
Does the fountain feel out of place given the artist's other work?
Kenar usually handles serious religious or political projects, which makes this scatological turn more interesting. He applied the same detail to this three-foot piece that he might give a traditional bust.
How did this avoid being removed by the city?
The sculpture sits on the artist's own land, so it doesn't have to answer to local censors. It's a private protest that has somehow become a neighborhood landmark without much pushback.
Where did the idea for this entry originate?
We used a report from Atlas Obscura as a starting point and built our own editorial from there. The facts remain the same, even if the subject matter is less than prestigious.
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