News

Iconic Burning Man sculpture finds a permanent home among Filoli’s redwoods

WOODSIDE, CA — November 19, 2025 — Filoli is thrilled to announce the arrival of Rose Wonders, a monumental 27-foot troll sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist Thomas Dambo. Originally debuted at Burning Man 2025, Rose Wonders will take up permanent residence in Filoli’s redwood grove beginning November 22.

The installation marks an exciting new chapter following the success of Filoli’s summer exhibition, TROLLS: Save the Humans, which drew record-breaking crowds and inspired visitors of all ages to connect with nature through art and play.

“Following the incredible response to TROLLS: Save the Humans, we’re thrilled to welcome Rose Wonders to her permanent home in the Filoli forest,” said Kara Newport, President & CEO of Filoli. “Her presence in our redwood grove continues the story we began this summer—one that invites people to explore, imagine and discover the beauty of the natural world. Rose is more than a sculpture; she invites you to join her in her wonder of nature and inspire anyone who crosses her path.”

Crouching at 27 feet tall, Rose Wonders is the largest troll ever created by Thomas Dambo. Crafted primarily from recycled pallet wood and adorned with branches woven into her hair, she depicts a young girl curiously studying a tiny human perched on her finger, pondering what it means to be human. Visitors are invited to step into her world, climbing a hidden staircase through her cascading locks and up into her hands for a face-to-face encounter. This is a uniquely interactive element that distinguishes her from Thomas’s other trolls around the world. Accompanied by a reflective poem, her story explores empathy, connection and the shared mysteries between giants and humankind, blurring the line between wonderer and wondered.

“Rose Wonders was born from the idea that humans need to look nature in the eye,” said Thomas Dambo. “She’s a gentle giant who reminds us that beauty can come from what we throw away. I’m honored that she’s found a permanent home at Filoli, where art and nature live side by side.”

Rose Wonders was brought to Filoli thanks to generous support from over 600 donors.  These donors shared a passion for the story that the Trolls brought to Filoli and wanted to continue the legacy, engagement and connection to nature for the future.

Located in The Redwoods, a new activity center that features Filoli’s newly opened Trailhead Store and Nature Playspace, Rose Wonders will be accessible via the California Trail, an easy one-mile loop through Filoli’s Natural Lands. Her installation complements Filoli’s mission to create immersive experiences that foster connection with the natural environment.

Rose Wonders is featured in the magical new holiday village, Thistlewyck, which also opens on November 22.  Daytime admission to Filoli includes Thistlewyck and Rose Wonders and is free to Filoli members. 

For more information, visit filoli.org/rose-wonders. 

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Editor’s Note: Hi-res images available to download here (credit: Olivia Marshall Photography). 

About Filoli

Filoli, (Pronunciation: F ī / Lō / Lē), a historic house and world-class garden, is located just south of San Francisco in the heart of Silicon Valley. The modern site is situated on the unceded ancestral lands of the Ramaytush Ohlone. Originally built as a private residence in 1917, Filoli was opened to the public in 1975 and is today, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The property is one of the finest remaining country estates of the 20th century, featuring a 54,000+ square-foot Georgian revival-style mansion, 16 acres of English Renaissance gardens, a 6.8-acre Gentleman’s Orchard, and hundreds of acres of natural lands, featuring six distinct ecosystems and two trail loops. Open 363 days a year, Filoli is 30 minutes from San Francisco or San Jose and 20 minutes from SFO.

About Thomas Dambo

Born in Odense, Denmark in 1979, Thomas Dambo creates art that inspires people to explore, have adventures in nature, and show that recycled goods can be turned into something beautiful. After graduating from the Kolding Design School in Kolding, Denmark, with a master’s degree in interactive design, Thomas began his journey of using recycled materials to create colorful art installations, building the foundation for his artwork today. He currently lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark. Thomas is best known for his colossal trolls that ‘live’ as permanent or semi-permanent installations in parks, greenspaces, industrial parks, and other site-specific locations around the world. Each folklore-inspired sculpture is imbued with expression and character and is built entirely from reclaimed materials. To view all 172 of Thomas’s trolls and their locations, visit trollmap.com.

Media Contact

Megan Garbe
press@filoli.org or megan.garbe@fahlgren.com 

86 Cañada Road
Woodside, CA 94062
773-339-9421