Sculptures & Happenings

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Galschiøts Work

Here you will find an overview of Galschiøt's works sorted by year, from the first installation. Many of Galschiøt's works are regularly used and exhibited around the world. We constantly update each page so you can keep up with the latest exhibitions and happenings that each sculpture features.

If you want to see the latest activities of Galschiøt, you can get an overview on the News page.

2023

Bannerlithographs - 2023


While China ensures that the Pillar of Shame remains locked inside a container in Hong Kong, artist Jens Galschiøt is printing banners featuring the Pillar of Shame. He sends these banners to exiled Chinese, Hong Kongers in exile, and sympathizers all over the world.


On the day of the Tiananmen Massacre, June 4th, the banners are used to commemorate the massacre in a massive global manifestation.

#QATAR6500 - 2022


As an art happening, highlighting human rights violations in QATAR in relation to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Jens Galschiøt has created a necklace adorned with 6500 skulls, representing each migrant worker who tragically lost their life while preparing for the World Cup.


Additionally, thousands of skull-bracelets have been crafted to be worn as a protest during the World Cup. This project is developed in collaboration with the Danish radio station Radio 24syv.

2022

Who is the Samaritan? - 2022


"Who is the Samaritan?" is a work of art based on"Spartacus Avenue", which according to history was an avenue of crucified rebels."


Who is the Samaritan?" aims to shed light on the lost democratic battles, e.g. in Syria, Libya and Afghanistan. The artwork draws parallels to the west. Many of those who lost the fight for democracy and human rights in their homeland are persecuted by their regime. But when they try to escape, the west closes its borders and eyes, and lets them drown in the Mediterranean.

2022

2021

Dante enters into dialogue with the 21st century - 2021


Galschiøt has crafted an art installation aiming to bridge the gap between Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) and his life and ideas, with the contemporary world of the 21st century.


Galschiøt's intention is to encourage the sculptures to engage in a dialogue with the viewers, reflecting on the experience of living in a modern, vibrant city like Copenhagen.

2020

Solar cells at Gallery Galschiøt - 2020


Jens Galschiøt has created a series of sculptures featuring solar collectors, with the purpose of funding a sustainable transformation of Gallery Galschiøt.


It is our plan to install approximately 2,000 m2 of solar panels on the roofs of Galleri Galschiøt. With this setup, we would be able to generate 300,000 Kilo Watts (kW) per year, resulting in saving the world around 120 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

2019

A rose to imprisoned woman - 2020


Jens Galschiøt has named this art piece after Yasaman, an Iranian activist advocating for women's right to decide how they want to dress. The proceeds from the sale of these artworks are being directed to support Amnesty's work in Iran.

Roadsign - 2019


In 2019, an artistic motorway sign was installed on the Danish E45 highway, marking the location of Gallery Galschiøt.


The sign itself serves as a captivating piece of art, showcasing selected works by Galschiøt. Among the depicted artworks are Survival of the Fattest, H.C. Andersen in Queer Times, Unbearable, Pillar of Shame, Freedom to Pollute, In God's Name, and My Inner Beast.

#DONTFEEDYOURINNERBEAST - 2019


To commemorate the 25th anniversary of "My Inner Beast," Jens Galschiøt has initiated a street art project featuring sculptures titled 'Don't Feed Your Inner Beast.' These sculptures have been installed in various locations worldwide and are accompanied by the hashtag #DON'TFEEDYOURINNERBEAST.

2018

Fuck Double Standards - 2018


"Fuck Double Standards" is a sculptural commentary on politicians who have consistently reduced development aid by billions over the years, all the while boasting about raising millions for the same cause.


The artwork was sold at an auction and fetched a total of DKK 47,775, including fees, for the united Danish appeal for funds in 2018.

Homo Sapiens - 2018


The sculpture installation consists of 22 unique copper sculptures, that vary in height from 180 cm to 225 cm.


These sculptures are characterized by their sketchy modeling, featuring fine details and an almost organic surface. Some of them prominently display significant portions of the human body, while others seem to dissolve into the material, creating an intriguing interplay between form and substance. The sculptures exist in a limbo between construction and deconstruction.

COP 23 - 2017


For the Bonn Climate Summit in 2017, Jens Galschiøt created art installations throughout the city to highlight the climate crisis from various angels.

2017

Burka happening - 2018


"One must not be naked! It's too little. Do not wear a burka! It is too much. What if you are naked under a burka?"


In response to the Danish burka ban that was enforced in 2018, Galschiøt organized a series of happenings during the Bornholm People's Summit. These events aimed to challenge the legal regulations surrounding clothing, by wearing a  burka and being naked underneath it.

2016

Polar bear ban - 2016


In connection with the 2016 Bornholm People's Summit, Jens Galschiøt organized a polar bear demonstration in support of climate action. However, the demonstration was interrupted by the police.


Due to the Danish masking ban in place, the fully dressed polar bear costumes were deemed illegal, leading to the police prohibiting the execution of the planned demonstration.

Historical Traces - 2017


The sculpture group consists of 7 people cast in bronze. 4 people are busy unloading coffee bags, 2 people are stacking them, and the last one is taking a break on a nearby bench.


"Historical Traces" serves as an artistic reminder of the environment that existed at the harbor in Århus, from a time, when everything was unloaded by hand.

2015

COP 21 - 2015


At the climate summit in Paris, Jens Galschiøt organized several exhibitions and happenings throughout the city. One of these exhibitions featured the sculpture "Unbearable", which depicts a polar bear, spike on a CO2 graph.

It was displayed in front of the university campus in central Paris.

550+1 - 2015


"550+1" is an art installation addressing the issues of human trafficking and prostitution. The sculpture spans 60 meters in length and consists of 550 headless male figures and 1 female body. The 550 male figures symbolize the estimated number of customers a Nigerian prostitute is expected to encounter within a year.


Completed in June 2015, the sculpture was first showcased at the People’s Political Festival and later exhibited at a Culture meeting on the island of Mors in the same year.

The Children of Abraham - 2015


"The Children of Abraham" is an art and dialogue project created by Jens Galschiøt, with a central focus on the three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.


At its core, the project revolves around the sculpture 'Fundamentalism,'


Judaism, Christianity and Islam are often referred to as the "People of the Book," and they all recognize Abraham as their common ancestor.


You could say that the disagreements between these religions are a kind of family quarrel between 'The Children of Abraham'.

Ending homelessness - 2010


Jens Galschiøt collaborated with the Danish NGO Project OUTSIDE to create 13 bronze sculptures depicting homeless individuals. These sculptures were showcased in various European capitals as part of a campaign during the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion in 2010.


Bronze sculptures are typically erected to honor influential and powerful people, but in this instance, the noble material is employed to amplify and provide a voice for those individuals who are often overlooked and voiceless.

Unbearable - 2015


"Unbearable" is a sculpture depicting a polar bear impaled on a graph of the world's CO2 emissions, from year 0 to year 2015.


This impactful artwork is a collaborative effort between Jens Galschiøt and the WWF. The visually striking sculpture serves as a powerful symbol of how human activities impact the global climate and it seeks to remind the public of its responsibility towards future generations.

2010

The Refugee's Ship - 2010


The Refugee Ship is a floating art installation featuring 70 copper sculptures of refugees aboard the old Danish fishing vessel M/S Anton.


This remarkable ship has traveled through numerous cities in Denmark and Germany in collaboration with "Levende Hav." The project is supported by Danida.


The most recent tour took place in 2017, during documenta14 in Kassel.

Seven meters (COP 15) - 2009



Seven Meters is a series of art installations created by Jens Galschiøt, which were exhibited at the COP15 Summit on December 7, 2009, in Copenhagen.


If the glaciers of Greenland melts, the water level will rise 7 meters. The installations aimed to highlight the potential consequences of the Greenland glaciers melting,


To visualize this impact, a flashing lamp was placed at a height of 7 meters above the current water level, marking the potential new waterline throughout Copenhagen.


The following art installations were featured at COP 15:

The 7 Meter Line, The Pulse of the Earth, Refugees in Water, The Messenger,

Freedom to Pollute, Wandering Refugees, several Balancing Act & Survival of the Fattest

2009

In the name of God - 2007


"In the Name of God" is a project launched by Jens Galschiøt, featuring a sculpture depicting a pregnant teenager. The artwork serves as an indictment against the Church's strict and regressive policies on sex and sexual education.

2006

The Color Orange - 2008


We launced the project, "The Color Orange,"to highlight human rights violations in China during the Beijing Olympics in August 2008.


The concept was both sophisticated and simple: We wanted to introduce "The Color Orange" as a symbol of protest against human rights violations in China. Despite the censorship that could ban the use of explicit iconography and symbols associated with human rights, the use of "The Color Orange" could not be banned.


As part of the project, the Pillar of Shame was painted orange.

2007

Balancing Act - 2006


"Balancing Act" is a collection of copper sculptures depicting human figures engaged in seemingly impossible balancing acts atop high carbon fiber poles.


These sculptures served as both a logo and an eye-catching element at numerous events during the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014).


The project was launched during a UN conference in India by our collaborator and colleague Lars Myrthu-Nielsen from the Danish Eco-network.

Freedom to Pollute - 2002


"Freedom to Pollute" is a 6-foot-high fiberglass replica of the American Statue of Liberty, featuring smoke emitting from the torch. This sculpture was created and erected in the year 2002.


The artwork has been displayed at various climate conferences and demonstrations,


It serves to comment on the Western pollution that affects the whole world. 

The Hunger March - 2002


The Hunger March is a series of sculptures depicting a starving boy.


This project was initiated as a protest against cuts in development aid. Such cuts are a fatal mistake, particularly during a time when the gap between the rich and poor is widening, and over a billion people are living below the hunger threshold. Poverty and hunger remain the primary causes of conflicts and refugee movements globally.

Survival of the fattest - 2002


"Survival of the Fattest" is a 3.5-meter-tall sculpture depicting a colossal overweight Justitia - the Goddess of Justice. She holds the scales of justice in her right hand while being carried on the shoulders of a emaciated African man.


With closed eyes, Justitia proclaims, "I am sitting on the back of a man. He is staggering under my burden. I will do anything to help him. Except stepping down from his back." This statement is inscribed on the sculpture's pedestal.


The sculpture was created by Jens Galschiøt in 2002 and portrays an imbalanced distribution of the world's resources, where the rich live comfortably and oppress the poor through a practical and unjust global trade system.


The title is reminiscent of Charles Darwin's famous phrase "Survival of the fittest."

The Messenger - 2000


"The Messenger" is a 5-meter-high bronze sculpture and it was inaugurated at Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen in the year 2000. The sculpture was presented as an impassioned plea for the global Jubilee 2000 campaign, advocating for the cancellation of the hopeless debts burdening the world's poorest nations.


This sculpture stands as both a monument and a symbol of a Messenger from the South—a representation of an archetypal woman with a Masai-like stature, adorned with a cloak and carrying a staff. She is placed atop a cylinder featuring engravings resembling ancient cave paintings.

1997

Pillar of Shame - 1997


"The Pillar of Shame" is part of a series of sculptures created by Jens Galschiøt. Each sculpture in the series stands 8 meters tall and is crafted from bronze, copper, or concrete.


The inaugural installation of this sculpture took place at the NGO Forum of the FAO summit in Rome in 1996. Subsequently, three more pillars have been erected in Hong Kong, Mexico, and Brazil.


The sculpture serves as a poignant warning and a solemn reminder to people, of a shameful event that must never be allowed to happen again.

1993

My Inner Beast - 1993


"My Inner Beast" is a series of 22 heavy black concrete sculptures, created by Jens Galschiøt in November 1993. Twenty sculptures were installed in twenty cities across Europe, without permission from the authorities.


These sculptures depict a pig dressed in human clothing. The purpose was, to draw attention to the escalating violence, intolerance, racism, and persecution against minorities, that Europe has witnessed in recent years.

The sculptures are an unconventional approach to addressing these pressing issues.

Other work


Over time, Jens Galschiøt has created numerous sculptures and projects. On this website, we have curated a selection of some of these works. However, on this sub-page, you will find other sculptures not listed in the main selection.


If you haven't found what you are looking for or simply wish to explore further, you can visit Jens Galschiøt's previous website, Aidoh.