Austin's Pease Park has embraced an unexpected new resident towering over trail-goers — a colossal troll named Malin. Officially unveiled on Friday, the 18-foot giant, standing shoulder to shoulder with oaks and pines, has become the latest addition to Austin's eclectic outdoor scene.
Crafted by the transformative hands of artist Thomas Dambo, 'Malin’s Fountain' is a testament to ingenuity with sustainability at its core—literally. Dambo, whose eco-friendly philosophy underpins his art, repurposed materials from a decommissioned water tower and old pallets obtained from the J.J. Pickle Research Campus. "I come from graffiti and street art and you know where all the work you do is made on the spot and it's made to fit that surface right there where you're making it," Dambo as per KVUE. What sprouted from Dambo's artistic roots is not the grotesque creature of Nordic lore, but rather, a whimsical landmark sparking joy and curiosity among locals and visitors alike.
The labor-intensive construction of Malin began on March 1 and unfolded over two weeks, ending with a celebratory unveiling. Featuring a large bowl that visitors can fill with water to quench the thirst of the park’s fauna, the sculpture is as practical as it is imaginative. Dambo's ambition extends beyond Austin’s city limits, aiming to populate landscapes far and wide with his recycled guardians. "They look like trolls and I try to put them in all the countries, and all the states all over the world because that's kind of like the mentality I grew up with," Dambo said in an interview with KVUE.
The unveiling event wasn't shy of fanfare, matching the grand stature of its feature exhibit. Guests were treated to food, drinks, and live music, celebrating the distinctly Austin-esque blend of art and environmentalism. According to Nicole Netherton, CEO of the Pease Park Conservancy, Malin is more than just a sculpture. "I find it such an inspiration for joy because you see runners go by, or people with kids and they do a double take because it’s sort of unexpected to find a giant troll off of the trail, so I think it’s a really special way to connect with the outdoors, the children love it, and it gives them a chance to experience something larger than life," Netherton said, as reported by KXAN. Indeed, in a city where the unusual is usual, Malin feels right at home.
