Discovering La Sirena de la Garza at Punta de las Salinas

At Punta del Este, Uruguay, the beauty of the ocean and sculptures creates a profound connection between nature, art, and mythology.

MichaelStephenWills

As I stood at the edge of Punta del Este, Uruguay, I marveled at the wild beauty of the place. We were at Punta de las Salinas, the very tip of the peninsula, the edge of where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Río de la Plata. This easternmost point of Uruguay, where time feels suspended as restless waves crash against rocky shores. A sea breeze carries a distinct salty tang.

This is at Great Britain Square, Punta de las Salinas of Punta del Este. We are at the tip of the peninsula, the easternmost point of Uruguay. Punta del Este, Departamento de Maldonado, Uruguay

Pam, my wife, stood beside me, a bright smile on her face as the ocean wind tugged at her sunhat. Behind her, rising among the rocks, was an art installation that seemed to embody the spirit of the place “El Canto de las Sirenas” (The Song of the Mermaids). These sculptures by the artist Lily Perkins, their forms shaped and worn by the elements, appeared almost as though they were natural extensions of the rocky coastline. They gazed out to sea, their haunting beauty a poignant reminder of myth and humanity’s eternal connection with the ocean.

The sirens, crafted with an earthy texture and adorned with bits of marine debris, seemed to tell a story of resilience and adaptation. They stood stoically against the backdrop of the churning waves, their barnacle-like surfaces merging seamlessly with their rugged surroundings. I felt a strange connection to them, as if they were silent witnesses to the ever-changing dance of the sea and sky.

Pam during our 2016 South American tour. This is at Great Britain Square, Punta de las Salinas of Punta del Este. We are at the tip of the peninsula, the easternmost point of Uruguay. Over her shoulder is the art installation “El Canto de las Sirenas” (The Song of the Mermaids) (2012) by the artist Lily Perkins. Punta del Este, Departamento de Maldonado, Uruguay

The morning was perfect for photography. I adjusted my Canon camera, capturing the interplay of light and shadow across the jagged rocks, the turquoise waves, and the statues. The textures of the sirens came alive through the lens, each detail hinting at the passage of time and the endless conversations between water and stone. Pam posed in front of one of the sculptures, her presence adding a touch of humanity to the scene, as though she were part of this mythological tableau.

I took a moment to step back and absorb the scene. The coastline stretched out before me, rugged and raw, with the waves crashing in an eternal rhythm. The sirens belonged here, their forms shaped artist hands, then also by the elements. They merged into this unique place, much like the wind, the rocks, and the ocean.

As we walked along the rocky outcrop, the sound of the waves filled the air, drowning out any other noise. It was easy to lose oneself in the hypnotic patterns of the water, the spray catching the sunlight like tiny jewels. I found myself reflecting on the history of this place—Punta del Este, a meeting point of cultures and stories, a place where the natural world and human creativity converge.

Great Britain Square, where we started this journey, seemed an apt setting for such an installation. The name itself evokes a sense of exploration and connection across vast distances, much like the sirens that seem to call out across the waves. The symbolism was not lost on me as I thought about how we, too, were travelers, drawn to the edges of the earth by a desire to explore and understand.

Plaza Gran Bretana (Great Britain Square) is named for the World War II naval battle near here between the German battleship Graf Spee and the English ships Ajax, Achilles and Exeter. The plaza also has an anchor marking the boundary between Rio de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean.

Pam and I lingered for a while longer, taking in the scenery and enjoying the peacefulness of the moment. The sculptures seemed almost alive, their forms shifting subtly as the light changed. They reminded me of the stories of sirens from ancient mythology—creatures that lured sailors to their doom with their enchanting voices. But here, they seemed more like guardians, watching over the waters and the land, their presence a testament to the enduring power of art and nature.

As the morning wore on, we made our way back, leaving the sirens behind to their eternal vigil. The experience stayed with me, though, a vivid memory of a place where myth and reality intertwine. Punta de las Salinas, with its rugged beauty and its mysterious sirens, had left an indelible mark on my heart.

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24 thoughts on “Discovering La Sirena de la Garza at Punta de las Salinas”

    1. Thank you, Matroos! I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos. The mermaid sculptures truly have a timeless beauty, shaped not just by the artist’s hands but also by the elements over the years. It was a joy to capture them in that light. And I appreciate your kind words about the photo of Pam—it’s one of my favorites from the trip. Wishing you all the best! Mike

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    1. Thank you so much, Lavinia! It truly is a remarkable place, and I’m grateful that the artwork and the story behind it resonated with you. Your kind words mean a lot. Wishing you beauty and inspiration in your own travels!

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    2. Thank you, Sheree! They really are incredible pieces of art—so much character and history in every detail. I’m glad you enjoyed them! The tableau was originally installed in the 1980’s — Perkins created a new tableau and installed it a few years before our 2016 tour.

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    1. Thank you so much, Carolyn! I’m glad you enjoyed the journey with us. It’s always a pleasure to share these experiences, and knowing you’re along for the ride makes it even more special. Wishing you many wonderful adventures of your own!

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    1. Thank you, Tom! I couldn’t agree more—there’s something almost otherworldly about them. The way the waves have washed away parts make them even more mesmerizing. Glad you enjoyed them!

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  8. You capture much of what I dreamed about as a boy. I loved the ocean and seafaring stories. You capture this feeling well with your line, “… where time feels suspended as restless waves crash against rocky shores. A sea breeze carries a distinct salty tang.” Growing up in the high desert in Eastern Oregon, made vacations to the coast highlights as a kid. The myths of sirens only heightened the mysticism of oceans and coastlines—a beautiful capture of Punta de las Salinas.

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    1. Thank you, Dalo! I’m glad this piece resonated with you and brought back those childhood dreams of the sea. There’s something timeless about the pull of the ocean, especially when paired with myths like the sirens—stories that blur the line between reality and imagination. I’ve often wondered at the beauty of the Oregon coast, never experienced it first hand, though. I appreciate your thoughtful words and am happy to share a bit of that mysticism with you.

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  9. You and Pam visited an amazing place! Although my country is surrounded by the sea, we have yet to see any “mermaids.” They are beautiful sculptures and we also thank you for sharing this moment for all of us.

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    1. Good morning, Takami. I have so pleased you enjoyed our memory of Punta del Este. I did a quick search and found these Japanese traditions of sea spirits. Enjoy!!

      Iso-onna (磯女) – The Beach Woman:A ghostly female spirit with long hair who lurks on rocky shores. She appears as a beautiful woman to lure fishermen, then drags them into the sea to drown them.

      Ningyo (人魚) – The Japanese Mermaid: Unlike the Western idea of mermaids, the Ningyo is often depicted as a fish-like creature with a human face, sometimes grotesque. Eating a Ningyo’s flesh was said to grant immortality, as in the legend of Yao Bikuni, a woman who lived for centuries after consuming Ningyo meat.

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      1. Hello Michael-san,
        Good morning from Japan. I enjoyed your memory of Punta del Este very much.

        Thank you for taking the time to research our sea spirit traditions. Yes, it is exactly as you have discovered. As you have noticed, there is a “dark” aspect to our version of our sea spirits, so seeing your post was very refreshing 🙂

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    1. Thank you, bigskybuckeye! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Punta de las Salinas is a place where land, sea, and imagination seamlessly converge—La Sirena de la Garza stands as a testament to that harmony. I’m thrilled you could share in the wonder. Appreciate your kind words!

      —Mike

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