Stamford hosts 15-foot-tall 'Hippo Ballerina' statue
May 9, 2023 - Amanda Cuda, Stamford Advocate
The 15-foot-tall statue was unveiled Tuesday in front of Ferguson Library in downtown Stamford. The graceful pachyderm weighs more than two and a half tons and was cast in bronze, but wears a copper tutu.
She was created in 2016 by Danish sculptor by Bjorn Okholm Skaarup and was inspired by Edgar Degas' sculpture "Little Dancer Aged Fourteen," as well as the dancing hippos of Walt Disney's "Fantasia."
In addition to his career as a self-taught sculptor, Skaarup has written and illustrated numerous books on historical, archaeological and anatomical subjects.
Skaarup’s unique sculptures draw inspiration from classical mythology, late Renaissance and 20th century American pop culture, while reinterpreting both classical and modern artistic themes, according to art experts.
"Hippo Ballerina" made her New York City debut in 2017 at Dante Park near Lincoln Center. Since then, she has been exhibited all over the city, including in the Flatiron District and in Pershing Square Plaza, near Grand Central Terminal.
See photos of the sculpture installation by Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media here: In photos: Stamford hosts 15-foot-tall 'Hippo Ballerina' statue
Back to News