Chimps Are Family
Current Exhibition (July 16, 2025 - July 16, 2026)
The Walnuts Centre, Orpington, London UK
Visit the exhibition, click for map >
Past Exhibition (July 8, 2024 - July 8, 2025)
Richmond Sculpture Trail, London UK
Past Exhibition (Jan 2023 - July 2024)
Eagle Brewery Wharf, Riverside Walk, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1HY, United Kingdom
Past Exhibition
London Bridge City, London SE1 2DB, United Kingdom, - Jan 2022 - Jan 2023
Gillie and Marc were lucky enough to meet the babies of three of the great ape species, chimps, orangutans and gorillas, in the wild and they were surprised how similar they really are to us. These sweet little babies were just as cheeky as human babies and were very attached to their mums. Gillie and Marc could see them grasp onto things, the same way that human babies do, testament to our evolutionary past. We also noticed that the hands of gorilla are very similar to human hands, a beautiful reminder that even physically, we are still from the same family.
-----------
SCULPTURES
Wild Chimp Laughter
Wild Chimp Imitation
Wild Chimp Nest Making
Wild Chimp Conflict
Wild Chimp Play
Wild Chimp Throwing
Wild Chimp Bipedal Walking
Wild Chimp Grief
Explore the Animals
The great apes - chimpanzee, orangutan, gorillas, and bonobos - are our closest relatives. We share 98% of our DNA with them so, unsurprisingly, we also share many of the same personality traits! They are a part of our family, and families look out for one another. We have to protect them before we lose one of our own!
Gorillas and chimps are also very intelligent and use tools just like we do. They show the same emotions like laughter and sadness, and use facial expressions, gestures and sounds to communicate, just like humans! They have both been taught basic human sign language showing they can think and express their basic needs in the same way humans can. Seeing the empathy and love that these beautiful apes expressed, moved Gillie and Marc to tears. It was one of the most magical moments of their lives to see how these family units loved and cared for one another, a moment that everyone in the world should experience for themselves.
To make the connection even deeper, chimps and humans are thought to share a common ancestor from 4-8 million years ago. That means we are definitely family, distant cousins! In the Malay language, orangutan means “person of the forest”. The Malay people have obviously seen this similarity with ourselves too!
The similarities between us are clear, we are family. Just as you would help your family through rough times, we must help the great apes escape the threat of extinction. Because that’s what families do for each other, we love each other and look out for one another. 
How to Help
Based off real animals that Gillie and Marc met while studying, the public will be able to meet individual animals. This will help them to realise that there are apes with unique personalities, thoughts and emotions. The loss of one individual is just as devastating as losing an individual human.
With public art, more people will come into contact with these sculptures, will stop and consider them, will take a photograph, and will discuss this with their friends and family. Through this increased exposure, the message of love, family, and conservation will be spread much further than any piece of art in a gallery ever could. It will bring people into close contact and will help them to fall in love. With love comes a greater urge to want to create a change and save the great apes.
The sculpture will be aligned with the hashtags #LoveTheLast and #ChimpsAreFamily to raise unparalleled awareness about the sculpture’s cause across the globe. To help protect the great apes and their habitats you can give a donation to WWF-UK by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/chimpsarefamily
If you are interested in buying chimpanzee related art, you will also be directly helping real chimps in the wild with 30% going to WWF to continue their fantastic work for chimpanzee conservation: Click here to browse art > https://gillieandmarc.com/collections/chimps
Partners
WWF
For lovers of primates & rhinos
London, UK
We're based here in the UK to ensure that we're working as hard as possible to make the greatest positive impact to our planet from your donations. In fact you can come visit us. Our UK headquarters - the Living Planet Centre in Woking - has a visitor and education centre so you can pop in and say 'hi'.
We also have local offices in Edinburgh and Cardiff to make sure that we're able to make change happen at a local level - no matter where you are in the UK.
Donate directly > wwf.org.uk
Shop artworks that give back > Chimps are Family Collection
London Bridge City
A destination enjoyed by visitors from across the globe and a river vibe loved by those who work and live in the area.
London Bridge City is surrounded by some of the City’s most famous landmarks and is steeped in rich British culture. This iconic London neighbourhood offers high-flying workers, and laidback visitors alike, an abundance of world-class food, shopping and entertainment, as well as some of the best London tourist attractions. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Borough Market, The View from The Shard, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, this vibrant and forward thinking community is one of the most visited riverside London destinations.
With half a mile of river frontage along the Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, and a total of 21.5 acres of space, it’s a vast and lively mixed-use environment. Encapsulating 3 million sq ft of office, retail and leisure space, along with private residential apartments, the estate is overflowing with historical charm, breath-taking architecture and sensational views. This desirable neighbourhood hosts a contemporary community of some of the world’s most visionary businesspeople, dynamic residents and those seeking an indulgent, yet balanced lifestyle.
------------
Kingston Upon Thames
Located in south-west London, the historic town of Kingston is situated on the picturesque River Thames, just 12 miles from Central London and a 28-minute train ride from Waterloo.
The town is well served by public transport and is close to Heathrow Airport and London’s orbital motorway, the M25.
Kingston is known as the coronation site of as many as 7 Saxon Kings and the birthplace of England. Many relics remain from its rich history including London's oldest bridge - Clattern Bridge, the Coronation Stone purportedly used in the coronation of Saxon Kings as well as a medieval bridge and undercroft.
READ MORE >
------------
Kingston First
Our mission is to ensure Kingston is a thriving and attractive environment to do business in, as well as a vibrant and exciting destination for people to visit, shop, learn, live and work in. We represent the business community, ensuring their voice is heard and we also manage the day-to-day running of Kingston’s markets.
Clean, vibrant streets are key not only in positioning Kingston as a must-visit destination, but also for the wellbeing of residents working in the town. We run initiatives that ensure streets are kept attractive and welcoming for visitors and locals alike.
READ MORE>
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS:
Catherine Bastock
Anna Frame
Barnes Family
Nigel Mann
Dianne Townsend
Mario & Tina Cardinale
The McGhee-Dann Family
Linda Summerfield
VELUX Global Group Functions
Jess Capps
Sweetnam and Bradley Ltd
Federated Hermes
Grayling
Patrick and Lois Bellew
