Johnny Depp's first sculpture, The Bunnyman, to debut at Istanbul Art Fair

Johnny Depp is expanding his art practice into sculpture for the first time, with a piece titled The Bunnyman set to be unveiled by the Sigg Art Foundation at the Contemporary Istanbul art fair, running September 22-27. 

The two-meter white bronze figure will be displayed outdoors at Tersane Istanbul, a historic Ottoman shipyard on the Golden Horn, as one of the fair's special projects.

Described as a half-human, half-rabbit guardian figure carrying a "sword of truth," the character has deep personal roots for Depp. 

The Bunnyman originated from a childhood drawing by his son, Jack, now 24, made when Jack was around five years old, an image that reminded Depp of a recurring dream he'd experienced himself as a child. 

The figure has since become a recurring motif across Depp's sketches, paintings and prints in recent years. 

Reflecting on the character's origins, Depp said, "When people see the painting I did, The Bunnyman, they always ask the same question: where did it come from?"

Pierre Sigg, founder of the Sigg Art Foundation, framed Depp's participation as a signal of Contemporary Istanbul's rising international profile. 

"Contemporary Istanbul now draws international artists and galleries who would not have considered it a decade ago. I wanted to contribute to that shift, first as an international executive board member of the fair, then through the Sigg Art Foundation's participation as a special project. This year we are presenting Johnny Depp's first sculpture. That an artist of his standing chose Istanbul tells you where the fair sits today. Contemporary Istanbul has earned its place." 

The bronze was cast at Fonderia Artistica Battaglia in Milan.

Depp has built a notable secondary career in visual art in recent years, a 2022 debut print collection through Castle Fine Art sold out almost immediately, generating $3.6 million within hours of its release.