A family of four wooden giants, Explorers of Sentosa, has found its way to Palawan Beach at Sentosa. Created by internationally-renowned, copenhagen-based recycling artist Thomas Dambo, these larger-than-life art sculptures, made out of recycled materials, are a collaboration between the artist and Sentosa Development Corporation.
Explorers of Sentosa: Sculptures of Giants at Palawan Beach
Explorers of Sentosa, as the four giant sculptures are known, is made from approximately 5.5 tonnes of reclaimed wood materials like pallets and crates.
The four giants are Little Lyn, Reef the Chief, Curious Sue and Dreamer Dee. They collectively tell the story of how man-made material can disrupt the natural environment. The sculptures tap into fairytales and folklore and encourage people to go out into nature and explore, while raising awareness that trash has value.
The sculptures of giants were unveiled on 13 December 2022 and will remain at Sentosa till the end of 2024.
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This is the first time that Dambo is exhibiting his art in Southeast Asia and also the first time that mixes wood and plastic.
They are part of a broader collection of sculptures around the world in places such as Roskilde, Denmark and Pinecrest Gardens in Florida, United States of America.
The Explorers of Sentosa and the Eternity Material!: A Story to Tell by Thomas Dambo
The story behind the four giant sculptures at Sentosa is told by in a poem written by Thomas Dambo, “The Explorers of Sentosa and the Eternity Material!”.
The poem tells of the how the family of giants, who live at Palawan beach, one day discovered that the beach was covered with “Eternity material” and how they then seek to reclaim the beach.
Meet the Giants
Each of the giant sculptures has their own personality and backstory.
Along the pathway at Palawan Beach is Curious Sue, the youngest of the giants. She is always searching for hidden treasures and she can be spotted with a cargo container that she has uncovered.
Reef the Chief is a craftsman who takes plastic trash and recycles it into treasure. He can be found holding up one of his creations made from discarded plastic.
Dreamer Dee is an optimist who loves nature and surrounds himself with it.
Little Lyn aims to remind us to pause and appreciate the biodiversity of nature around us.
Upcycled Plastic Art
You may also notice upcycled plastic art around the sculptures. These are the work of Angelina Lourdes from Studio 29, local volunteers and The RICE Company.
Go on the Hunt with an Online Treasure Trail Map
To aid in the exploration of the four giants, there is an interactive online treasure trail map. By scanning QR codes, visitors can discover “breadcrumbs” to unravel clues that lead them the sculptures.
The Value of Trash
“Having hidden four upcycled giants in Southeast Asia for the first time, I hope the exhibits will bring both magic and meaning to the adventurer in all of us. Trash does carry value – it can be repurposed, reused and transformed, so I truly encourage people to think before they throw,” explained Thomas.
“Our collaboration with Thomas Dambo reflects Sentosa’s desire to bring meaningful sustainable experiences within the unique context of our 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,” said Ms Thien Kwee Eng, Chief Executive Officer, SDC.
Access to the installations at Palawan Beach is free.
