Austin’s Pease Park is mourning the loss of its beloved wooden troll sculpture, ‘Malin,’ which was completely destroyed by a fire early Thursday morning. The Austin Fire Department responded to reports of heavy flames around 5:30 a.m., but the structure had already burned down by the time they arrived, according to KVUE. The department’s arson unit is currently investigating the cause of the fire.
A Community and Artistic Loss
The 18-foot-tall sculpture, designed by Danish recycle artist Thomas Dambo, had been a fixture in the park since March 2024. It was funded entirely by private donors, costing approximately $300,000. Dambo, known for creating over 100 giant trolls worldwide from salvaged materials, designed Malin as a ‘water protector.’ The sculpture symbolized the need for humans to share water and resources with animals, inspired by Austin’s extreme drought conditions and local practices of leaving water bowls for wildlife.
The construction of Malin involved Dambo’s team, who shipped components from Denmark, and about 150 Austin volunteers. The troll was made of over 80% recycled materials, including wood from a decommissioned water tower at the University of Texas at Austin, cedar roots for hair, and natural stones for a necklace. The Pease Park Conservancy installed the piece along the Shoal Creek Trail, expecting it to last 15 years.
Community Reaction and Future Plans
Nicole Netherton, CEO of the Pease Park Conservancy, expressed the community’s sense of loss, stating that the troll brought joy to many. The conservancy has not yet decided whether to rebuild but plans to discuss future steps. Former Austin City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly has encouraged donations to the conservancy in Malin’s honor.
The site remains cordoned off as investigators work to determine the fire’s cause. This incident is not the first of its kind, as one of Dambo’s installations in Australia was also destroyed by fire in the past, according to The Guardian.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
