The Fingerprint – Monumental Public Sculpture in Gijón, Asturias

Contemporary Corten Steel Landmark by Sculptor Juanjo Novella – Urban Art That Embodies Memory and Identity

A fingerprint in steel: memory carved into light and shadow

The Fingerprint (La Huella), located in Gijón (Asturias, Spain), is one of Juanjo Novella’s most iconic public sculptures. Shaped like a giant fingerprint and crafted in corten steel, this monumental urban artwork symbolizes identity, presence, and the passage of time. Set along a pedestrian street, it is not just a sculpture but a space—inviting interaction, reflection, and a sense of belonging.

Transforming city space into a place of remembrance

Installed in the heart of Gijón, The Fingerprint has become a civic landmark that embodies the city’s collective spirit. It’s a clear example of urban art integrated into municipal spaces, contributing to the emotional and aesthetic regeneration of public space. As a proposal for art in city planning, it turns the everyday into the extraordinary.

Corten steel and light: materials that carry meaning

Built in weathering corten steel, the sculpture features cut-out ridges of a fingerprint that allow light to pass through. These perforations create a shifting interplay of light and shadow on the ground, reinforcing the notion of time and transformation. Durable yet expressive, the corten steel takes on an organic warmth that evolves with the seasons—a living monument etched into the landscape.

The fingerprint as a universal symbol

A fingerprint is at once deeply personal and universally human. In La Huella, Novella transforms this intimate marker into a public gesture—honoring memory, identity, and the stories we leave behind. As a large-scale outdoor installation, it resonates with themes of uniqueness and shared humanity, anchoring emotion in monumental form.

A space to walk through, not just around

True to Novella’s belief that “sculpture is not an object but a place”, The Fingerprint invites physical and emotional interaction. Visitors are drawn to its open voids, walking through the sculpture, seeing the city framed by its ridges. This interactive public art piece transforms contemplation into experience, turning viewers into participants.

A civic icon in the heart of Gijón

Known locally as La Huella, the sculpture has become a symbol of Gijón’s commitment to contemporary public art in corten steel. It is widely recognized as a reference in municipal art projects and urban regeneration through sculpture, providing identity, beauty, and emotional resonance in an open-air setting.

Looking to commission iconic public sculpture?

The Fingerprint is a leading example of how custom corten steel sculptures for cities can create timeless, participatory landmarks. If you’re considering how to hire a sculptor for a public urban project, Juanjo Novella offers deeply symbolic and technically masterful works that transform civic spaces into shared cultural experiences.