One of the most significant opportunities in an artists’ career is working on a public commission. In this video, Thor Larsen, sculptor and Principal Instructor of The Florence Academy of Art, explains the ins and outs of his latest commission, a large-scale public sculpture depicting well-known and beloved characters from the Danish comedy film series “Olsen-banden“ or Olsen Gang.

Thor takes us through the history of obtaining this commission, and explains his thought process behind making the clay sculptures that will eventually be cast in bronze. These sculptures, three life-size figures of the main characters in the fictional criminal gang, Egon Olsen, Benny Frandsen, and Kjeld Jensen, will be erected in Valby Tingsted square in Valby, Copenhagen.

In order to better conceptualize the figures in a visual sense, Thor created macquettes of each character, and these smaller-scaled versions of the larger sculptures have been cast in limited editions of 100 in resin and 8 in bronze. The proceeds from the sale helped fund the bronze casting of the life size figures.

A special thanks to Henrik Hansen, project manager of the “Olsen Gang” commission.