TROLLS: Save the Humans by Thomas Dambo to Open at Memphis Botanic Garden Presented by International Paper

A whimsical outdoor art exhibition made of all reclaimed wood exploring folklore, poetry, and the human relationship to nature is set to open on February 1, 2025.

Memphis, TN - Thomas Dambo’s TROLLS: Save the Humans is set to open at Memphis Botanic Garden from February 1, 2025 to May 21, 2025. This exhibition, featuring six of Thomas Dambo’s signature folklore-inspired troll sculptures built from reclaimed materials, will amaze and delight visitors of all ages. Like many of Dambo’s sculptures, each troll has been created from reclaimed wood, highlighting the artist’s passion as a recycling art activist. His vision is to create art that will inspire people to explore and create new adventures in nature while demonstrating that trash can be turned into something beautiful and unique.

Produced by Imagine Exhibitions in collaboration with the artist, TROLLS: Save the Humans blends art, nature, and messages of sustainability in a unique outdoor art installation. Known for his ability to make larger-than-life sized troll sculptures from reclaimed wood and other natural found materials, TROLLS: Save the Humans is Thomas Dambo’s latest exploration in crafting giant trolls with an environmental call. In this new traveling exhibition, Dambo tells an evolved story of listening and tending to nature, further building on the Nordic-inspired tales and artist-made poems surrounding the other 101 larger-than-life trolls that co-exist in various locations around the world, including Denmark, US, France, Germany, China, South Korea, Chile and more.

TROLLS: Save the Humans is the latest chapter in the worldwide sculpture fairytale, written by Dambo one installation at a time. In the new installation, six young activist trolls have noticed that humans are disconnected from nature and have started harming the planet. These young trolls set out to help humans learn how to live in harmony with the planet. Full of personality and activism, each troll has a name and plays a distinctive role in the tribe, becoming role models for us humans to learn from. For example, Ronja Redeye, who is the leader of the group, has a voice like whistling leaves in the wind; when she speaks, everyone listens. Another featured troll is Rosa Sunfinger who places flowers in an improvised flower pot made of a real car, to watch the garden grow. Ibbi Pip is putting up birdhouses while another is listening to the ground.

Most importantly, the exhibition allows visitors to appreciate both nature and the sculptures as something beautiful and may inspire visitors to recycle and rethink and value their own trash. Presenting a playful spin on traditional sculptural art, TROLLS: Save the Humans is an accessible experience for all ages.

Tom Zaller, President and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions shared, “Imagine Exhibitions is proud to partner with Thomas Dambo to bring the creative vision of TROLLS: Save the Humans to Memphis Botanic Garden. We’re delighted to collaborate with Memphis Botanic Garden on this incredible exhibition and to offer a new outdoor exhibition for visitors, bringing another amazing exhibition to Memphis.”

“We cannot wait to introduce the Memphis community to Thomas Dambo's TROLLS: Save the Humans. The stories and lessons of these larger-than-life Trolls align perfectly with the mission of the Memphis Botanic Garden to connect people with plants to increase awareness and appreciation of our environment,” said Gina Harris, Director of Education and Events. “Through the generous support of International Paper and our other sponsors, this exhibition will bring our mission to life in a fun and engaging way.”

TROLLS: Save the Humans at the Memphis Botanic Garden is presented by International Paper with support from Speer Charitable Trust, HD Pallet Company, Janet Misner, Amanda & Nick Goetze, FedEx, and Thompson Machinery. Additional support is provided by Blue Scope/Varco Pruden and Ben and Kathy Adams.

Admire the colorful creations on display at Trolls: Save the Humans for a limited engagement from February 1 to May 21, 2025. More information about the exhibition and related special programming will be released in early 2025.