Bordalo II’s Half-Half Koala Replaces Plastic Frog on Lisbon’s Rua da Manutenção
On August 14, 2026, in Lisbon's Xabregas district at Rua da Manutenção 3, Portuguese artist Bordalo II introduced a new artwork, the Half-Half Koala, which took the place of the Plastic Frog that had occupied the wall since July 2017. After nine years, the frog, part of his Plastic Trash Animals series, was removed. The newly installed koala showcases realistic grey fur crafted from waste materials, including plastic panels and mannequin limbs. Bordalo II remarked, "This half-half koala replaced our old plastic frog in Xabregas." This transition signifies a shift in his artistic approach, moving from bright colors to a more reflective commentary on the relationship between nature and waste. In 2020, he also produced a Young Koala edition, with proceeds benefiting the Koala Hospital.
Key facts
- Bordalo II unveiled a Half-Half Koala on 14 August 2026 in Lisbon’s Xabregas district.
- The koala replaces the Plastic Frog installed at Rua da Manutenção 3 since July 2017.
- The Plastic Frog was Bordalo II’s first Plastic Trash Animals work, made for his solo show ATTERO.
- The Half-Half Koala divides the animal between naturalistic grey fur and exposed urban waste.
- The sculpture incorporates plastic panels, hoses, crates, corrugated plastic, signage, and doll limbs.
- A pink drainpipe splits the face; one side is unpainted debris, the other is painted in greys, whites, and blacks.
- In 2020, Bordalo II’s studio released a Young Koala edition with 40% of profits going to the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie.
- The wall is near Bordalo II’s former studio on Rua de Xabregas.
Entities
Artists
- Bordalo II
Institutions
- GraffitiStreet
- Koala Hospital Port Macquarie
- GraffitiStreet Gallery
Locations
- Lisbon
- Portugal
- Xabregas
- Rua da Manutenção
- Rua de Xabregas
- Port Macquarie
- Australia
- East London
- London
- England
- Chichester
- West Sussex