In November of 2021, a new family of giant trolls set up residence at the Aullwood Audubon Nature Center in Dayton, Ohio. The latest creation by international artist Thomas Dambo, Bo, Bodil and Bibbi are part of the story, “The Troll That Hatched an Egg.”
Dambo has been creating giant trolls and their stories for over ten years. In the early years, his work was on display in his hometown of Copenhagen, Denmark. Now you can find his giant trolls all over the world.
For each build, Dambo focuses on recycling and reusing materials found where the creation will reside. For the giant troll family at Aullwood Audubon, Dambo used dead tree limbs from all over the property, old plastic totes, and whatever else could be sourced.
“Everything I make I try to make out of things laying around,” said Dambo in a statement. “This way I can build really big things with a very small footprint or impact.”
Dambo conceptualizes each story and design, then works with a team of volunteers and artists close to the site.
Bil Tipton, an artist from Dayton who mainly works with paints, ink, and canvas, participated on the project.
“I have framed houses for many years so most of my work [here] was wood work on the outside of the trolls,” says Tipton.
Tipton also helped build the metal “skeleton” inside of the “flying” troll (baby Bibbi). He says building the trolls took about a month with a core group of seven as well as a few other volunteers.
“The whole project was very secretive and low key, and every day on the project was rewarding, but hard work,” he says. “It was awesome to watch Thomas work and direct us towards his artistic vision!”
The Aullwood Audubon Nature Center stated that the trolls will remain on view permanently. When you go, pay attention to the weather. Although the paths are lined with wood chips, you are walking in the woods and due to the popularity of the exhibition, the trails easily turn to mud. But don’t let that deter you. Walking along a beautiful wooded trail and then happening upon a very large creature in the woods is a fun feeling. The details on each troll make them so life-like that it feels as if they could easily turn and wink your way.
Viewing “The Troll That Hatched an Egg” is included in daily paid admission to the Aullwood Audubon Nature Center. Aullwood Audubon is open 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Saturday and 1 PM to 5 PM Sunday. General admission is free for children 3 and under, $8.00 for children 4 to 12, $12.00 for adults 13 to 64, and $10.00 for seniors age 65 and over and active duty military members.
Aullwood Audubon is located at 1000 Aullwood Road, Dayton, OH 45414. It’s only about an hour’s drive from Columbus. For more information, visit aullwood.audubon.org.