Faaborg Dyrkeren

On the brick façade of the former director’s house on the site of the old slaughterhouse in Faaborg, a large painted man bends over a group of colourful miniature towers. Holding a watering can, he waters one of the towers while further bell towers appear to grow like plants from flower pots in the grass. The mural combines an everyday scene with one of Faaborg’s characteristic landmarks: its historic bell tower.

The work is titled Faaborg Dyrkeren and was created in 2021. According to artist Oliver Streich, the motif was designed by Els Cools and painted on the façade by Cools and Streich. Bruno MacDonald additionally created four fibre-concrete bell-tower sculptures, which were then painted to match the towers. Eight bell towers of different sizes form part of the overall work.

The building belongs to “Direktøren”, the former director’s residence of the former Faaborg slaughterhouse. Today, the building is used by local volunteers for various creative activities.

The motif establishes a direct connection with the town: Faaborg’s historic bell tower is one of its characteristic landmarks, and here it is literally being “cultivated”. The playful combination of the painted gardener, three-dimensional sculptures and historic architecture ties the artwork closely to its setting.