The Awakening

The 72-foot (22-meter) sculpture comprises five aluminum segments showing a man whose head, arms, legs, and hand rise from the ground while his mouth opens in a scream and his fingers contort in tension.

Artist John Seward Johnson II produced the work in 1980 for the Washington DC Sculpture Conference and originally positioned it in Hains Point before relocating it to Maryland at its current site in 2008.

The sculpture symbolizes the human struggle against physical and mental boundaries through its portrayal of a colossal figure attempting to break free from its confinement and serves as a popular photography subject for visitors from various countries.

Visitors can walk around the five segments and pose for photographs with the 17-foot (5.2-meter) right arm, head, and other body parts rising from the sand, with access available at no charge.

Each segment was cast separately and displays detailed anatomical features such as skin folds, bent fingers, and facial expressions, with the right hand alone weighing several tons and allowing visitors to climb upon it.

Location: Maryland

Inception: 1980

Creator: John Seward Johnson II

Made from material: aluminium

GPS coordinates: 38.78516,-77.01719

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:21