Danish artist Thomas Dambo has a unique talent – he makes colossal sculptures out of trash. He specializes in troll sculptures that range in height from 16 to 50 feet (4.8-15 m). These trolls are mythical Scandinavian monsters that are generally depicted as large, dumb, brutish creatures in folklore. But Dambo’s trolls are adorable, and children can’t have enough of them.
Dambo’s trolls are installed on mountains, in forests, and parks around the world. Sometimes they are tucked away behind trees; at other times, they hide in forests, underneath bridges, or up on hillsides.
People are encouraged to find them by using a treasure map provided on Dambo’s website or clues found in poems near each sculpture.
Interestingly, Dambo’s sculptures are usually a group effort. He asks local volunteers for help, and together they assemble the sculptures. Each folklore-inspired sculpture is brought to life from wood pallets, old fences, twigs, debris, and even sheds.
The artist says the purpose of his works is to make his art interactive, more community-driven, and, most importantly, to lure humans into nature.
Each of Dambo’s giants has a name – from “Little Tilde,” who hides behind a big tree to “Oscar Under the Bridge,” who holds onto the bridge’s rail to “Thomas on the Mountain,” who sits on a hiking trail stacking rocks, and “Teddy Friendly,” who helps people across a tiny stream with his long extended arms.
Dambo hopes to spread the message of reusing and recycling through his artworks. Watch this video to see how Dambo's giant trolls came to life.
Check out more works of the artist on his Instagram page.
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