Ernie Brooks Statue Finds a New Home

In February, visitors to the annual Our World Underwater dive show in Chicago were treated to a truly unique occasion: the unveiling of underwater photography legend Ernie Brooks’ statue. Now, almost half a year later, the honorary statue has found a home in Santa Barbara’s Maritime Museum.

The statue was re-unveiled last week at the Maritime Museum in front of a crowd of nearly 200, who had gathered to celebrate Brooks’ lifetime of photography and ocean awareness accomplishments. The sculpture is the creation of the famed sculptor Viktor and is the latest addition to the “Ocean Pioneers” collection commissioned by Google Ocean in 2009, a collection that includes pieces commemorating Jacques Cousteau and Zale Parry.

“I’ve only had one career, and it’s the only one I want,” said Brooks, who has captured the imagination of the public with the ocean’s beauty for over 50 years.

Although the mystique of the sculpture was uncovered back in February, hundreds of onlookers couldn’t help but point their smartphone cameras at the shape of a young Brooks holding a camera carved into the stone. The impressive presence of Brooks’ statue could have only been outdone by his poignant comments.

“I love you all in my heart,” he explained in his speech on Saturday. “I hope it shows in my work.”