Singapore Guide: Explorers of Sentosa

A family of gigantic wooden trolls by renowned Danish artist Thomas Dambo have arrived in Singapore, taking up residency on the shores of Palawan Beach, Sentosa island.

Similar to the sculptures currently on display in the coastal city of Mandurah in Western Australia, the Explorers of Sentosa are not just a sight to behold, but an experience that transports you to a world of wonder and magic.

Made from discarded wooden materials that have been donated by local enterprises, the larger-than-life art sculptures each take about 700 hours to build and are a collaboration between the artist and Sentosa Development Corporation.

Dubbed Little Lyn, Reef the Chief, Curious Sue and Dreamer Dee, the four mystic creatures collectively tell the story of how man-made material can disrupt the natural environment.

They also raise awareness that trash can be valuable, whilst tapping into fairytales and folklore, and encourage people to go out into nature and explore.

“Having hidden four upcycled giants in South-East Asia for the first time, I hope the exhibits will bring both magic and meaning to the adventurer in all of us,” Dambo explains.

“Trash does carry value — it can be repurposed, reused and transformed, so I truly encourage people to think before they throw.”

For those visiting the popular tourist island, you can go on a quest to find all four Explorers by taking part in an interactive trail that begins at the Eternity flower at Palawan Kidz City. Here, you can scan a QR code that tells you clues of where the giants rest.

The Explorers of Sentosa are not just a sight to behold, but an experience that transports you to a world of wonder and magic

For Sentosa Development Corporation CEO Thien Kwee Eng, the collaboration with Thomas Dambo reflects Sentosa’s desire to bring meaningful and sustainable experiences to the island.

“Through the Explorers of Sentosa, we invite guests to explore the hidden side of Sentosa and learn about how the waste we collectively generate can impact the natural areas around us,” Ms Thien says.

The sculptures of giants were unveiled in December 2022, and will remain at Sentosa until the end of 2024.

For more information, visit sentosa.com.sg