description The Headington Shark Overview
The Headington Shark, formally titled Untitled 1986, is a rooftop sculpture depicting a large shark apparently crashing headfirst through a terraced house in Headington, Oxford. Artist John Buckley made the fiberglass work for the house's owner, Bill Heine, and it was installed on 9 August 1986. The sculpture became both a local landmark and the subject of a prolonged planning dispute concerning its placement and visual impact.
help The Headington Shark FAQ
What is the formal title of the Headington Shark?
The sculpture is formally titled Untitled 1986, although it is widely known as the Headington Shark. It stands on a house at 2 New High Street in Headington, Oxford.
When was The Headington Shark installed?
John Buckley installed the fiberglass shark in August 1986. The installation took place on 9 August, the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945.
Who owns the house with The Headington Shark?
The house was owned by radio presenter and filmmaker Bill Heine when the shark was commissioned. Heine and Buckley developed the idea as a piece of protest-minded, unexpected rooftop art.
Is The Headington Shark a public monument or a museum sculpture?
It is a privately situated rooftop sculpture rather than a conventional museum object. Visitors can view it from the street in Headington, but the house and roof are private property.
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