Johnny Depp's 2‑Metre Bunnyman Shines at Istanbul's Contemporary Fair

Johnny Depp’s first sculpture, a two‑metre white bronze titled **“The Bunnyman,”** will be unveiled at the **Contemporary Istanbul** art fair, running from September 22 to 27. The piece will stand outdoors at **Tersane Istanbul**, the historic Ottoman shipyard on the Golden Horn, as part of the fair’s special projects.

It depicts a half‑human, half‑rabbit guardian wielding a “sword of truth.”

The idea emerged from a drawing by Depp’s son Jack, around five years old, that echoed a recurring childhood dream the actor recalls from his own youth.

> “When people see the painting I did — The Bunnyman — they always ask the same question: where did it come from? Some character that Jack had scribbled, beautiful scribbles into that shape, that image, reminded me of a kind of recurrent dream that I had as a child, probably around Jack’s age, five, six…”

## Background & Context

Depp’s artistic output spans sketches, paintings and prints that have repeatedly featured the Bunnyman motif. The character first appeared in his private drawings before inspiring the larger sculpture.

In 2018, he revealed a series of charcoal studies of the Bunnyman on his social‑media fan page, sparking intrigue among his millions of followers.

The sculpture is the result of a collaboration between the **Sigg Art Foundation**, Pantheon Art, and **Fonderia Artistica Battaglia** in Milan. These partners oversaw the casting and finishing of the piece, bringing Depp’s vision into a durable bronze form.

Fonderia Battaglia, founded in 1908, is renowned for its work with contemporary artists such as Anish Kapoor and Yoko Ono; their expertise ensured that the white patina on “The Bunnyman” would remain luminous after years of outdoor exposure.

Depp’s creative journey began in the late 1990s with small sketches kept in a sketchbook that he rarely shared publicly. Over time, his fascination with fantastical hybrids—humans fused with animals—evolved into a recurring visual language.

The Bunnyman has become an emblem of this synthesis, symbolizing both vulnerability and guardianship.

The unveiling will coincide with Depp’s exhibition **“A Bunch of Stuff”** at the Modern Art Museum Shanghai, which showcases more than 200 of his works across various media. The Shanghai show is set to run from September 1 to 30, offering audiences a comprehensive view of his artistic evolution.

## Fan Reaction

Depp’s foray into sculpture has generated polarized responses among his fan base. Early reactions on social media ranged from delight—“Wow, this is amazing!”—to skepticism, with some commenters questioning whether the actor was truly invested or merely capitalizing on his celebrity.

A trending hashtag, #BunnymanDebut, amassed over 120 k posts, many featuring fan‑made sketches and cosplay attempts.

Notably, a group of self‑identified “art lovers” appreciated the piece’s mythic quality. “The Bunnyman feels like a portal to a childhood memory,” one Instagram user wrote. The art‑conscious community praised the collaboration with Fonderia Battaglia, .

Celebrity artists often face scrutiny when they cross over into fine‑art markets; however, Depp’s long‑standing practice of creating visual work for personal fulfillment lends credibility to his new medium. Some industry insiders noted that the Bunnyman “reinforces the narrative of artists who use their platform to diversify creatively.”

## Industry Impact

The introduction of a celebrity‑artist sculpture at a major international fair signals a broader trend toward cross‑disciplinary collaboration. Contemporary Istanbul, which has hosted over 70 artists in previous editions, is positioning itself as a nexus where film, music, and visual arts intersect.

By featuring “The Bunnyman,” the fair demonstrates that established actors can contribute meaningful contemporary art to the market.

The project also showcases the potential for heritage sites like Tersane Istanbul to serve as living galleries, marrying historic architecture with modern sculpture.

The venue’s location along the Golden Horn provides an atmospheric backdrop that enhances the mythic aura of Depp’s creation, potentially attracting a new segment of art‑tourists.

In the broader context of celebrity art markets, Depp’s sculpture may encourage other actors to pursue original works beyond screen presence. Early adopters, such as actor‑musician **Tessa Thompson**, are already in talks with leading galleries to exhibit their own mixed‑media pieces.

## What Happens Next

On September 22, visitors to Contemporary Istanbul will encounter the sculpture amid the fair’s outdoor installations. Its presence signals a new chapter in Depp’s artistic career beyond his film work.

The Bunnyman will remain on display through September 27, after which it may return to private ownership or be loaned to future exhibitions. Details of post‑fair plans have not yet been released.

Meanwhile, Depp’s Shanghai exhibition will run concurrently, offering audiences a comprehensive view of his artistic evolution. The museum will host guided tours and talks detailing the creation of the sculpture.

Depp’s foray into sculpture marks an expansion of his creative repertoire, blending personal memories with public display. The fair’s opening promises a unique encounter with an artist traditionally celebrated on screen.