Australian-first sculpture trail to boost Peel region

  • Outdoor exhibition the first of its kind in Australia from internationally acclaimed artist
  • Enormous wooden sculptures to be placed in secret locations
  • Year-long project to bring thousands of visitors to Peel region
  • Supported by the State Government, through Tourism WA 
  • A series of enormous wooden sculptures created by renowned Danish artist Thomas Dambo will be installed throughout Mandurah in late 2022, helping to attract more visitors to the Peel region and boost the local economy.

    Thomas Dambo’s Sculptures in Western Australia will feature at least five site-specific works – each up to five metres tall – that will be placed in secret locations waiting to be discovered and explored. The sculptures are intended to be protectors of the environment. The local community will be directly involved in creating the works, which will each have their own personality and tell part of the story of the Mandurah area.

    The Australian-first project is set to open to the public later this year, and is expected to bring thousands of visitors to the region and inject millions into the local economy over the first 12 months.

    The large-scale exhibition was initiated and will be produced by non-profit arts and cultural organisation FORM – Building a State of Creativity Inc. and delivered in collaboration with the City of Mandurah, with the project supported by the McGowan Government through Tourism WA’s Regional Events Program, and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

    An artist of international acclaim, Dambo has exhibited extensively throughout the world including in Denmark, USA, France, Germany, China, South Korea and Chile. Dambo’s practice celebrates the diversity, beauty and importance of the natural world, with the artist’s works handmade using recycled materials.

    Western Australia’s own FORM – Building a State of Creativity Inc. has delivered cultural projects to the community for more than two decades, most notably staging major cultural tourism projects including the Canning Stock Route project, the PUBLIC Silo Trail, and Field of Light: Avenue of Honour.

    As stated by Tourism Minister Roger Cook:

    “The State Government is proud to support this exciting art installation, which is the first of its kind in Australia.

    “This creative, family-friendly experience will draw thousands of visitors to Mandurah and the Peel region, creating awe and wonder for the community while injecting millions into the local economy.

    “I encourage everyone to make the trip to Mandurah to discover this wonderful series of artworks, as well as the many other attractions this region has to offer.”

    As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:

    “I am delighted to hear that the Trolls are coming to the Peel region.

    “This will bring thousands of visitors, experiencing our beautiful environment and spending money in local businesses.

    “These trolls will invite people into our magical region and help them experience the magnificence of the Peel.

    “I look forward to hunting some of these trolls down with my family.”

    As stated by Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke:

    “This is a fantastic art experience for the region and I am so excited to hear that it will be open to the public later this year.

    “People have been wandering out yonder during the pandemic and experiencing our beautiful region. This will help them discover the Peel anew.”

    As stated by Dawesville MLA Lisa Munday:

    “I love the fact that the Trolls are going to be made in collaboration with local people. It is a great project for the community.

    “They also carry a special environmental message that I think resonates particularly well at the moment, and that is very special too.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.