Hippo Ballerina
- Artist: Bjørn Okholm Skaarup
- Set up: June 2023
On 20 June 2023, a special guest was welcomed to Rudkøbing - Hippo Ballerina. This impressive 2.6 metre bronze sculpture now stands proudly on the square in Rudkøbing. The sculpture, created by internationally recognised sculptor Bjørn Okholm Skaarup, has previously adorned major cities such as New York, Miami, Dubai and Venice.
From birthday celebration to permanent resident
Hippo Ballerina was originally installed as a surprise for the artist's 50th birthday in 2023. The Association for the Dissemination of Art in Public Space on Langeland was quickly captivated by the sculpture and started a fundraising campaign to make her a permanent part of the Rudkøbing cityscape. In September 2024, the goal was achieved and the sculpture now awaits its final, permanent installation.
A universe of allegories
Bjørn Okholm Skaarup's artworks operate at the intersection of nature and culture, where animals appear as human allegories. Hippo Ballerina is a humorous reference to Edgar Degas' famous ballerinas, complete with similar clothing, but with an imaginative twist. Skaarup's art is known for playing with humour and seriousness - like when a lion in royal armour sits on a rocking horse, or a kangaroo jumps on a ‘kangaroo stilt’. His work ranges from ancient fables to modern animation and always manages to surprise.
With a background in classical sculpture, Okholm Skaarup constantly seeks to refine his skills and challenge the material, especially through dynamic and detailed bronze works.
Biography
Bjørn Okholm Skaarup, born in Rudkøbing in 1973, has spent the last 20 years creating his unique animal universe from his studios in Florence and New York. He is affiliated with Galleri5000 in Odense and has previously worked as an illustrator at the National Museum in Copenhagen from 1994 to 2004. Skaarup holds a PhD from the European University Institute in Florence from 2009 and is a member of The Royal British Society of Sculptors.
See more:
You can buy books by Bjørn Okholm Skaarup and dive deeper into his unique art universe at the Langeland Visitor Centre.
