Bend Resident Reveals Himself as the Prankster Behind Googly Eyes on Public Art

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The person responsible for the viral googly eye prank on sculptures in Bend, Oregon, has come forward. Jeff Keith, the founder of the Bend-based nonprofit Guardian Group, which works to combat human trafficking, admitted on Friday that he was behind the playful installations.

Keith, who has used duct tape to attach googly eyes to public sculptures, explained that he has done similar pranks before, including adorning sculptures with hula skirts and leis. These lighthearted acts serve as a personal escape from the heavy emotional toll of his work, which involves supporting trafficking victims who have endured “unimaginable trauma.”

“It’s a way for me to cope with some pretty heavy stuff,” Keith told The Associated Press. "It's something that brings joy to me and, I hope, to others."

The googly eyes, which first appeared in early December, quickly gained attention on social media after the city of Bend posted photos. One of the images showed googly eyes on a sculpture of two deer, which Keith acknowledged as his own creation. Another photo showed a sphere adorned with googly eyes. While many people on social media found the additions humorous, city officials noted that the adhesives could potentially damage the art. They reported that a total of eight sculptures were affected, and it cost the city $1,500 to remove the googly eyes.

Despite the city's response, which prompted public debate over whether the eyes should be removed, many social media users supported the prank, saying the googly eyes brought a much-needed dose of fun to the city. The story went viral, even making its way to CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Keith said he never anticipated his pranks would spark such widespread attention and went to city offices to offer to pay for any damages. At the time, city officials acknowledged the misunderstanding, explaining that their posts were intended to raise awareness about the potential harm adhesives could cause to public art made of metals like bronze and steel.

For Keith, the goal of his pranks is to spread joy and laughter in everyday life. “I think the biggest thing is just to get a laugh,” he said. “When I see families laughing hysterically at these sculptures, it makes for a good time.” Keith, who has lived in Bend for nearly two decades, hopes his antics provide a brief but welcome distraction from the challenges many face.