Portland's Hidden Troll: The Way of the Bird King

Portland Oregon TrollPhoto byMelissa Herzog

It's been months since we visited all 5 of Washington State’s Trollsand we find ourselves in Portland, Oregon. Portland is hiding the last of the trolls from the Northwest Trolls: The Way of the Bird King.

These are the creations of Thomas Dambo, a recycled art activist from Denmark, Copenhagen.

Just outside the city of Portland is Ole Bolle, the Portland Troll. Ole Bolle is, kneeling and peering into a little house looking for food for his belly. The troll is located on the Nordic Northwest Campus.

He is made from recycled materials such as wooden pallets, turning trash into treasured Trolls.

Thomas Dambohas constructed these and other art sculptures that are located around the world. We were so fortunate to get 5 in Washington State and sneak down to Portland, Oregon one day to see the 6th.

It takes a village to build this guy, with sponsors and contributors along with countless volunteers putting in hours upon hours constructing these.

Inside the little house with a view of the troll.Photo byMelissa Herzog

What is also unique about these trolls…the eyes follow you. It is the strangest thing, but from any angle, it looks as though he is looking right at you. All of the trolls we encountered so far have this unique capability.

The trolls are all free to see, you just have to find them! It has been said they will be here for 3 years, after that time each host city has the choice to keep the troll and then the artist will either decide to decommission it or move it.

Sadly, there were several in and around Chicago, Illinois constructed in 2018 and they are all gone, but I understand vandalism played a role in that disappearance as well.

The trolls are a reminder, that trash can be treasure if you just get creative with it, so before you dump your trash in the landfills…can it be recycled or upcycled?

Back view of the Portland Troll.Photo byMelissa Herzog

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