Words by Dylan Lanier
Leon the Giraffe is more than a statue—to the residents of San Mateo, he’s one of their own. Internationally renowned sculptor Albert Guibara gifted Leon to the city in 1978, and this genial giraffe has brightened people’s days with his whimsical presence in Central Park ever since. To bring Leon to life, Albert constructed the 15-foot-tall, 800-pound figure out of brass, copper and steel in his Burlingame studio. He spent weeks studying giraffes at the San Francisco Zoo and gained enthusiastic permission for the project from the mayor of San Mateo.
Albert named Leon after his father, whose toy store inspired many of Albert’s pieces. The sculptor’s father turned 80 around the time Leon the Giraffe was installed, so as the statue was lowered into place at the park, local families gathered to celebrate with balloons, cake and a chorus of “Happy Birthday.” Leon became an instant icon in the San Mateo community as he watched over the park’s many activities, from playdates and rec sports to music festivals and movie nights. And while Leon rules his Central Park residence, Albert’s other sculptures can be found elsewhere in the city and around the world, nearly all of them made of bronze. Much like Leon, Albert’s other works of art are personal, imaginative and uplifting. So while the world can sometimes be a hectic place, Leon the Giraffe offers his quiet, steady presence as a reminder of the singular power of just standing still.