Danish recycling artist Thomas Dambo has artworks made of recycled materials all over the globe, in Germany, France, Brazil, Australia, South Korea, China and beyond.
Soon, you can add Wauwatosa to that list.
Dambo is creating a giant troll sculpture for a new park on 116th Street and West Gilbert Avenue, a few blocks south of North Avenue and west of I-41. It is expected to be installed in the park in spring 2025.
Dambo has already created at least 138 trolls that have been installed around the world and the Tosa one adds Wisconsin to Dambo’s list of U.S. states with a troll. Dambo’s goal is to have a troll in every state.
The closest one appears to be reclining and cradling its impressive beard up in the UP.
You can find a Trollmap on Dambo’s website.
“We are thrilled to bring Thomas Dambo's incredible artistry to Wauwatosa,” said City of Wauwatosa Tourism Specialist Beth Gleesing. “His giant troll sculpture will not only enhance our new park but also position Wauwatosa as a vibrant arts destination.”
According to Gleesing, the Dambo work and the artist’s emphasis on sustainability aligns with Wauwatosa’s values and public art initiatives.
The giant troll sculpture – the design of which does not appear to have yet been released – will be made, as always, with recycled materials.
The work – which will cost about $365,000 including installation – is being funded entirely by funds from hotel/motel taxes, which are paid by visitors staying in Wauwatosa hotels or Airbnb accommodations. These funds can only be used for tourism and community attractions.
“Iconic public works of art can inspire imaginations and drive tourism to a region,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, President & CEO of Visit Milwaukee. “That’s why we are thrilled to support the City of Wauwatosa as it undertakes another public art project that will surely help solidify its reputation as a premier arts tourism destination.
“Like its successful ART 64 event, which has become the Midwest’s largest live painting competition, Wauwatosa’s future Thomas Dambo troll sculpture will soon become a must-stop photo opportunity for Greater Milwaukee area residents and visitors alike. We’re so proud to partner with the City of Wauwatosa to promote its incredible tourism assets year-round and can’t wait help welcome this work next spring.”
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
