New troll sculpture ‘Iver Mudslider’ debuts in Rhode Island with local sea glass accents

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — Meet Iver Mudslider, the newest of more than 100 trolls created by artist Thomas Dambo from recycled materials.

“This is the fifth sculpture of probably six or seven that I’m making in this project called ‘the Thunderstone,'” said Dambo.

The project takes participants like Karin Primerano on a troll-sighting trek to find that thunderstone.

Karin drove up from New York to add to her growing list of troll-tracking.

“After seeing there three new ones it’ll be 31 trolls and his rabbit and the portals,” said Primerano.

She’s one of the more than four million people from around the world who travel to see these mystical wooden spectacles each year, which makes the trolls particularly attractive for tourism, and well-worth the more than $200,000 investment.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to have something that’s world renown right here in East Providence,” said East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva.

In East Providence, the skilled sculptor built the jaw-dropping Mrs. Skipper, with her sights set squarely over the river.

And in Exeter, you’ll find Young Boulder, who also has a stunning view, and some sparkling jewelry from a local family business.

“We have these really large pieces of sea glass that we found in Rhode Island so they’re local, and we thought how cool would that be if he wanted to use some of our pieces in his art,” said Kristen Wells.

Their addition is one of many that makes each troll unique.

“Every one has been different, the hair is different, what they use to make them is different,” said Karin Primerano.

But it’s the environmental inspiration that unites them all.

“This is not only sending a message of artistic excellence, it’s also awakening our consciousness about our environment,” said Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed.

According to Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation data from 2024, Rhode Islanders created 366 tons of landfill per 10,000 households compared to just 147 pounds of recycling.

Dambo hopes his art can help close that gap here in Rhode Island and around the world.

“I want us all to remember the core message of my art and spread that core message which is take good care of our world and our nature so don’t just pick up your own trash if you litter a little bit pick up after the other people who come in nature because only together we can keep nature pristine and clean,” said Dambo.