Acclaimed Danish artist Thomas Dambo created an ambitious public art project titled Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King. Six giant troll sculptures—characters in an environmental story penned by the artist—were built from recycled materials and situated in locations around Washington State, including Bainbridge Island, Issaquah, Vashon Island, West Seattle and Ballard, as well as Portland, Oregon. The sculptures were revealed one-by-one between August and September 2023, culminating with the September 18 reveal of the Ballard troll sculpture, Frankie Feetsplinters, at the National Nordic Museum. The exhibition Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King fosters discovery of the region and illustrates real-life lessons of environmental stewardship through sculptures of fantastical beings.
For further information on this project, please see nwtrolls.org.
More About the Artist:
Thomas Dambo is considered the world’s leading recycle artist, having been taught from a young age the value of recycling, sustainability, and unlimited imagination. Previously, Dambo has led a multifaceted life that allowed him to express his creativity via music, street art, and scenic design. After graduating from the Kolding Design School with a master’s degree in interactive design, Dambo began his current journey of using recycled materials to create colorful art installations, building the foundation for his artwork today.
Dambo’s high level of creativity drives the creation of highly interactive experiences, allowing users to express their own individuality on a large scale. From gardens made of recycled plastics to a functioning DIY Christmas market made from commercial refuse, Dambo creates experiences that are immersive, interactive, and awe-inspiring. Today, Dambo is known internationally for his larger-than-life sculptures that are all made from recycled wood. With nearly 100 sculptures all over the world, these have begun to have a life of their own.
Dambo’s vision is to create art that inspires people to go explore, have adventures in nature, and demonstrates that trash can be turned into something beautiful.
