Exhibitions

Thomas Dambo or the garbage dump of contemporary stories

Carles Toribio ishøj - 31/05/26

From 24.05.2026 to 29.11.2026, the ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art presents the exhibition Thomas Dambo – The Garbage Man , a monumental proposal by the Danish artist Thomas Dambo, internationally recognized for his troll sculptures built from recycled materials.

Dambo has become a key figure in sustainable contemporary art thanks to his ability to transform what others consider trash into gigantic, vibrant creatures. Over the past decade, he has created more than a hundred sculptures distributed across various countries, integrated into natural and urban landscapes, where they invite the public to explore, discover, and play.

Her work stems from a background marked by hip-hop, graffiti, and street art—influences that evolved into large-scale installations constructed from repurposed waste. Since then, her practice has maintained a strong commitment to recycling, community engagement, and reflection on contemporary consumption.

Dambo's sculptures don't just inhabit space: they activate it. Each troll becomes a meeting point between art, nature, and fantasy, generating collective experiences that combine physical exploration and storytelling. Their playful and accessible visual language raises an urgent conversation about humanity's footprint on the planet and the hidden potential of what we discard.

The exhibition at ARKEN is not limited to contemplation. It includes a participatory workshop where visitors can build their own trolls using recycled materials from the museum itself, such as remnants of the old flooring and elements from the recently renovated lobby. This dynamic makes the public an active part of the creative process, underscoring the idea that value can be reborn through collaboration and imagination.

The project also has the support of Augustinus Fonden and Spar Nord Fonden, consolidating a proposal that combines art, environmental education and community experience.

In 2016, Dambo achieved global recognition with De Seks Glemte Kæmper (The Six Forgotten Giants), a series of sculptures hidden around Copenhagen that became a viral phenomenon. Subsequently, his “Troll Hunt” in the United States attracted over 1.24 million visitors in its first year, solidifying his international impact.

With this exhibition, ARKEN becomes the first museum to host a large-scale indoor installation by the artist, who had already left his mark on the natural spaces surrounding the museum itself. The project proposes a new perspective on the concept of waste: not as an end, but as a beginning.

In the hands of Thomas Dambo, garbage ceases to be an invisible problem and becomes a poetic language, an invitation to play, and a collective call to rethink our relationship with the world we inhabit.