Thomas Dambo is a Danish artist best known for his large-scale sculptures made from recycled wood and other discarded materials, works that combine environmental activism with mythic storytelling. Born in Odense, Denmark, in 1979,
Dambo trained as a designer and graffiti artist before moving into a practice that merges public art with ecological awareness. His sculptures, often depicting giant trolls or fantastical figures, are placed in forests, parks, and urban environments around the world,
inviting people to encounter art in unexpected places while also reflecting on waste, sustainability, and the relationship between humanity and nature. His most famous ongoing series, known as the “Forgotten Giants,” consists of towering wooden trolls built
from pallets, old fences, and construction scraps, each designed to blend with its natural surroundings. These works are not just static sculptures but part of an interactive experience, with hidden locations that encourage visitors to embark on a kind of treasure hunt.
Dambo has emphasized that the act of searching is as important as the discovery, echoing themes of folklore where giants and trolls are guardians of hidden wisdom. By making his work accessible and participatory, he breaks down barriers between fine art and the public, while reinforcing the importance of community and collective imagination. Dambo’s environmental ethos is central to his art. He has stated repeatedly that his mission is to show how trash can be transformed into something meaningful and beautiful.
By reusing tons of discarded wood and materials that might otherwise end up in landfills, he demonstrates the potential of creative reuse on a monumental scale. His projects often involve volunteers, local residents, and students, emphasizing collaboration and community-building.
This participatory approach not only reduces the environmental footprint but also strengthens the connection between people and the spaces they inhabit. Beyond the trolls, Dambo has created birdhouses, interactive installations, and projects that bridge art and ecology. He has installed thousands of birdhouses in cities worldwide to highlight biodiversity,
and his broader portfolio continues to reflect a belief that art can spark both joy and responsibility. His works have appeared across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia, with permanent and temporary installations drawing international attention. By blending fairy-tale aesthetics with ecological urgency, Dambo has carved out a unique role as both artist and storyteller, inviting the world to reconsider its relationship with nature and the materials it discards.
Some_Dambo_Art_Locations
- 153 Helle Haltben – 2024 – Hald, Denmark
- 152 STIFINDER STIG – 2024 – Sønder Felding, Denmark
- 151 LOTTE LOKKEKLOKKE – 2024 – Møborg, Denmark
- 150 JEPPE VÆKTÆPPE – 2024 – Voldum, Denmark
- 136 Gargan Villeinvisible – 2024 – Rouen, France
- Alexa’s Elixir – 2024 – Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, USA
- 135 The Golden Rabbit – 2024 – Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, USA
- 134 Jacob Everear – 2024 – Frazee, Minnesota, USA
- 133 Ronny Funny Face – 2024 – Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, USA
- 132 Long Leif – 2024 – Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, USA
- 131 Barefoot Frida – 2024 – Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, USA
- 130 Alexa’s Elixir (duplicate/featured) – 2024 – Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, USA
- 129 Erik Rock – 2024 – Ninigret Park, Rhode Island, USA
- 128 Greta Granit – 2024 – Ninigret Park, Rhode Island, USA
- 127 Malin’s Fountain – 2024 – Pease Park, Austin, USA
- 126 Lomme Ulrik – 2024 – Denmark
- 125 Oscar the Bird King – 2023 – Vashon Island, Washington, USA
- 124 Frankie Feetsplinter – 2023 – Ballard, Washington, USA
- 123 Jakob Two Trees – 2023 – Issaquah, Washington, USA
- 122 Bruun Idun – 2023 – Lincoln Park, Seattle, Washington, USA
- 121 Pia Peacekeeper – 2023 – Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA
- 120 Ole Bolle – 2023 – Portland, Oregon, USA
- 119 Rita the Rock Planter – 2023 – Victor (Cripple Creek area), Colorado, USA
- 118 Benny the Beard Fisher – 2023 – Germfask, Michigan, USA
- 117 Lost Finn – 2023 – South Londonderry, Vermont, USA
- Way of the Bird King (series/install) – 2023 – (various locations)
- 116 Big Rusty – 2023 – Hainesport, New Jersey, USA
- 115 Yaburgurk Circlestone – 2023 – Mandurah, Australia
- 114 Elles Helle – 2023 – Viborg, Denmark
- 113 JensNej – 2023 – Horsens, Denmark
- 112 Ronja Redeye – 2023 – Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia, USA (exhibit Sep 13, 2024–Jan 20, 2025)
- 111 Sofus Lotus – 2023 – Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia, USA (exhibit Sep 13, 2024–Jan 20, 2025)
- 110 Kamma Can – 2023 – Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia, USA (exhibit Sep 13, 2024–Jan 20, 2025)
- 109 Ibbi Pip – 2023 – Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia, USA (exhibit Sep 13, 2024–Jan 20, 2025)
- 108 Basse Buller – 2023 – Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia, USA (exhibit Sep 13, 2024–Jan 20, 2025)
- TROLLS: Save the Humans (installation) – 2023 – Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia, USA
- 050 Green George – 2019 – Christiania, Denmark
- 049 Hannes – 2019 – De Schorre, Boom, Belgium
- 048 Arvid – 2019 – De Schorre, Boom, Belgium
- 047 Kamiel – 2019 – De Schorre, Boom, Belgium
- 046 Mikil – 2019 – De Schorre, Boom, Belgium
- 045 Joures – 2019 – De Schorre, Boom, Belgium
- 044 Una – 2019 – De Schorre, Boom, Belgium
- 043 Isak Heartstone 2 – 2019 – Breckenridge, Colorado, USA
- 042 Mama Lou Mari – 2019 – Bernheim Forest, Kentucky, USA
- 041 Little Elina – 2019 – Bernheim Forest, Kentucky, USA
- 040 Little Nis – 2019 – Bernheim Forest, Kentucky, USA
- 039 Hector el Protector – 2019 – Culebra, Puerto Rico
- The Mountain Trolls (series) – 2018 – Pyeongchang / Pyongyang (sites in South Korea / North Korea noted on site)
- Happy Forest – 2018 – Kolding, Denmark
- The Storytellers Tree – 2018 – Esbjerg, Denmark
- Happy Wall Beijing – 2018 – Beijing, China
- Troll Hunt – 2018 – Chicago, Illinois, USA (dismantled Apr 2021)
- The Troll Habitat – 2018 – Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Happy Wall (other instances) – 2018 – Edmonton, Canada and several locations worldwide
- The Future Forest – 2018 – Mexico City, Mexico
- 038 Zack The Shaman – 2018 – Live Oak, Florida, USA
- 037 Leo The Enlightened – 2018 – Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA
- 036 Isak Heartstone 1 – 2018 – Breckenridge, Colorado, USA (original installation)
- 035 Little Arturs – 2018 – Chicago, Illinois, USA
- 034 Niels Bragger – 2018 – Chicago, Illinois, USA
- 033 Sneaky Socks Alexa – 2018 – Chicago, Illinois, USA
- 032 Rocky Bardur – 2018 – Chicago, Illinois, USA
- 031 Joe The Guardian – 2018 – Chicago, Illinois, USA
- 030 Furry Ema – 2018 – Chicago, Illinois, USA
- 029 Big Young – 2018 – Pyeongchang, South Korea
- 028 Happy Kim – 2018 – Pyeongchang, South Korea
- 027 Mamma Wok – 2018 – Pyeongchang, South Korea
- 026 Mr. Lee – 2018 – Pyeongchang, South Korea
- 025 Old Wise Woo – 2018 – Pyeongchang, South Korea
- Space Cave – 2017 – Copenhagen, Denmark
- Robot Waiters – 2017 – Copenhagen, Denmark
- Giant Toolbox – 2017 – Copenhagen, Denmark
- Berlin Birdhouses – 2012 – Berlin, Germany
- Birdhouse Totem – 2012 – Odense, Denmark
- 640 Birdhouses (installation) – 2012 – Roskilde Festival, Roskilde, Denmark
- Skateboard Birdhouses – 2012 – Copenhagen, Denmark
- Duck Castle – 2012 – Skanderborg, Denmark
- Birds in Beirut – 2012 – Beirut, Lebanon
- Happy City Birds Mural – 2012 – Copenhagen, Denmark
- Cardboard Sailboat – 2011 – Copenhagen, Denmark
- Giant Birdhouse – 2011 – Copenhagen, Denmark
- Flamingo Flamingo – 2011 – Copenhagen, Denmark
- Milk Box Cow – 2011 – Copenhagen, Denmark
- 250 Birdhouses – 2009 – Denmark
Further Reading
Sources
- Thomas Dambo https://www.thomasdambo.com/ “Troll Map” https://www.thomasdambo.com/trollmap
- Wikipedia “Thomas Dambo” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Dambo
- South County Rhode Island “The Thomas Dambo Trolls Are Here!” https://www.southcountyri.com/thomas-dambo-trolls/
- California Nature Art Museum “Lulu Hyggelig: California’s First Permanent Thomas Dambo Troll” https://www.calnatureartmuseum.org/news/thomas-dambo-at-calnam
- Observer “Danish Recycling Activist Thomas Dambo’s Surprising Forest Art” https://observer.com/2023/09/danish-recycling-activist-thomas-dambos-surprising-forest-art/
- Northwest Trolls “Meet the NW Trolls” https://www.nwtrolls.org/
- Atlanta Botanical Garden “Artist Bio: Thomas Dambo” https://atlantabg.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Trolls_PRs_ArtistBio.pdf
- Backpackers and Bumpers “Thomas Dambo Trolls” https://www.backpacksandbumpers.com/thomas-dambo-trolls-georgia
- AL.com “Giant wooden troll and ‘living maze’ with hidden surprises arrive in Alabama” https://www.al.com/life/2025/04/giant-wooden-troll-and-living-maze-with-hidden-surprises-arrive-in-alabama.html
