Octo-Maid
PUBLIC SCULPTURE
Official Title: "Iscariot"
|By Trace O'Connor
About the Sculpture
Perched atop the Colorado Springs Traffic Management Center, Iscariot (locally nicknamed "Octo-Maid") is a striking example of adaptive reuse in art. The sculpture depicts a quasi-mermaid figure launching herself into flight, frozen in a moment of kinetic energy.
The piece evokes a "steampunk" or Lovecraftian aesthetic, contrasting organic curves with harsh industrial materials. It was originally part of the 2018-2019 "Art on the Streets" exhibit.
Conservation & Materials
Trace O'Connor constructed the 4,200-pound figure entirely from recycled ferrous materials found in scrapyards. The body is composed of:
- Galvanized steel poles
- Sprinkler piping
- Electrical conduit
- Plate steel
Community Reviews
"Unique sculpture. Kind of creepy but in a really cool, artistic way. Love that it's made from old pipes."
"Hard to see from the sidewalk right under it, but it looks amazing from the highway. Very steampunk."
234 W Colorado Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Located in: Colorado Springs Traffic Management Center
Viewing Tip: Best viewed from a distance! Look up while driving on the I-25 overpass or from the bridge on Colorado Avenue.