Danish recycling artist Thomas Dambo, known for building giant wooden troll sculptures from discarded materials across the world, has brought his fantasy-inspired creations indoors for the first time in a museum exhibition.

The new show titled “The Garbage Man” at the Arken Museum of Contemporary Art near Copenhagen features a story-driven installation where mischievous trolls secretly take over the museum, reshape it and fill it with waste, including a giant human figure made of trash as a warning about human consumption and pollution.

Dambo, 46, said the exhibition continues his long-running message about waste and environmental responsibility, but in a more experimental indoor setting where he can use materials such as electronics, cardboard and clothing that would not survive outdoors.

He first began placing troll sculptures in public spaces in 2014 and expanded the project in 2016 by hiding six large figures in forests around Copenhagen. The idea quickly went viral, turning into a global art hunt that now spans 19 countries.

Over the past 12 years, Dambo and his team have created nearly 200 trolls, producing around 25 new sculptures each year. His works are often hidden in natural landscapes and located using an online “Troll Map,” attracting millions of visitors who travel to find them.

One of his largest figures, standing 13 meters tall, is installed in the United States, while others are placed in forests, parks and botanical gardens in countries including Germany and South Korea.

In the new exhibition, some trolls are based on people from Dambo’s childhood and are designed to reflect playful, rebellious personalities. One installation includes a troll resting on a large pile of discarded clothing collected from a recycling organization.

Dambo said his work is not only about recycling but also about challenging overconsumption, urging people to rethink how much they buy and use in daily life.