Homeless Fox Statue — Attraction in Stockholm

Huddled at the foot of a Stockholm bridge is a sad little figure, barely visible under a pile of rumpled-up blankets, silently pleading for your sympathy. This statue, called Hemlös räv ("Rag and Bone") is somehow even sadder for having a fox face. Since 2008, the helpless little fox has been waiting on the street, asking passersby to give spare a thought for the homeless, and maybe some change as well. The artwork was created by British sculptor Laura Ford, and later purchased by the city of Stockholm. At first glance, the squat beastly hobo looks like an almost realistic pile of old blankets, but further inspection reveals the sad little fox face. The figure has nothing in the world but a pair of boots and a pile of ratty blankets. The statue was placed near the corner of Drottninggatan and Strömgatan, in the heart of the city where the tourists and the wealthy can see it. Its placement was the result of a public vote that wanted the little symbol of poverty to stand out to those who are in the most need of being reminded. Well-liked by both Swedes and tourists, the rag and bone fox is often surrounded by pocket change that is left at its feet. It may not be the happiest statue in the world, but even though it might make you give some time to an uncomfortable subject, it remains undeniably a...

"Hemlös räv" ("Homeless Fox") is a sculpture by British artist Laura Ford, installed in public space in Stockholm in 2009. The sculpture depicts a curled-up fox, wrapped in a worn, brown blanket, with a small fox cub nestled against its side. It is cast in patinated bronze and belongs to Ford’s series of works titled “Rag and Bone,” in which animal figures are used to comment on social issues.

The sculpture is located in an urban setting — at Strömgatan, near the government buildings in central Stockholm. Its form resembles a homeless person sleeping on the street, but presented through the image of an animal. This artistic device gives the work a universal, symbolic meaning, addressing the issues of homelessness and social exclusion.

The sculpture serves as a symbolic social commentary and is an example of...

This remarkable statue, crafted from brass, stands at the heart of Stockholm, symbolizing the plight of homelessness. Located at the foot of a bridge, it has been a silent witness to the struggles of the homeless since 2008.

The statue depicts a helpless little fox, its eyes filled with a sense of desperation. It beckons passersby to spare a moment of thought and perhaps even offer a small change as a gesture of compassion. The fox’s presence serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address the issue of homelessness and provide support to...