The Wild Benches of Hope
Upcoming Exhibition (December/Jan 2025)
Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, United States
Visit the sculpture, click for map >
About the Exhibition
This exhibition by internationally acclaimed artists Gillie and Marc offers an unforgettable experience. Three striking bronze benches bring together their iconic characters, Rabbitwoman and Dogman, alongside endangered animals—a Masai giraffe, an African elephant, and a hippo.
Each bench offers more than a place to rest; it is an invitation to the public to join these unlikely friends in moments of reading, sharing tea, and nurturing the environment.
Gillie and Marc have created these works to encourage the public to form a deep emotional connection with the animals. By fostering empathy and understanding, they hope people will be inspired to look after these magnificent but vulnerable creatures before they are gone.
Through these sculptures, visitors are encouraged to reflect on the urgent need to protect our planet’s most vulnerable species. The presence of endangered animals at the heart of each scene highlights the fragility of wildlife and the interconnectedness of all living beings.
By sitting beside Rabbitwoman, Dogman, and their animal companions, you become part of a powerful message: that friendship, empathy, and collective action are essential to safeguarding our world. This exhibition transforms public space into a sanctuary for reflection, connection, and hope. It reminds us that every small gesture—whether sharing a story, a cup of tea, or caring for a plant—can be an act of conservation and compassion.
Together, these monumental benches symbolize unity, environmental stewardship, and the enduring power of art to inspire change.
SCULPTURES
Title
The Reading bench
Description
A captivating bronze sculpture bench unfolds as an imaginative haven for reading enthusiasts, featuring Dogman and Rabbitwoman flanked by the regal presence of an endangered giraffe. The trio engages in a shared love for literature, each holding a book in their anthropomorphic hands, creating a serene tableau that encourages contemplation and discovery.
Positioned as guardians of knowledge, Dogman and Rabbitwoman sit on either side of the graceful giraffe, forming a harmonious circle of literary companionship. The giraffe's elongated neck gracefully reaches towards a suspended book, symbolizing the elevation of knowledge and the pursuit of wisdom.
This unique ensemble transforms the bench into a literary escape, inviting passersby to immerse themselves in the joy of reading. The bronze figures, frozen in the act of exploring their respective books, convey a sense of tranquility, encouraging observers to engage in a moment of peaceful reflection.
Title
The Green Bench
Description
In the heart of an imaginative bronze sculpture bench, Dogman and Rabbitwoman take center stage, engaged in a whimsical act of nurturing nature. Positioned between them, a bronze hippo cradles a sunflower in its sculpted form, embodying the symbiotic relationship between animals and the environment.
Rabbitwoman, with a gentle touch, pours water onto the sunflower held by the affable hippo, symbolizing the collaborative effort between different beings in fostering growth and sustenance. The scene captures a moment frozen in time, where the anthropomorphic duo and the hippo collaborate in a harmonious dance of care and nurturing.
The intentional placement of the sunflower in the hands of the hippo, coupled with Rabbitwoman's nurturing gesture, serves as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of all living things. The bench itself becomes a canvas for this delightful narrative, inviting onlookers to pause, reflect, and appreciate the delicate balance within the natural world.
Title
The Teatime Bench
Description
A captivating bronze sculpture bench invites observers into a moment of tranquil connection as Dogman and Rabbitwoman join an endangered elephant in a shared tea-sipping experience. The trio, seated side by side, embodies a sense of harmony and unity, engaging in the simple pleasure of enjoying tea together.
The anthropomorphic charm of Dogman and Rabbitwoman, coupled with the majestic presence of the endangered elephant, creates a scene that celebrates the gentle interplay between different beings. Each figure delicately cradles a tea cup, contributing to an atmosphere of shared serenity.
The endangered elephant, with carefully sculpted details, symbolizes both strength and vulnerability, drawing attention to the importance of protecting these majestic creatures. The act of sipping tea becomes a metaphor for the shared moments that bridge the gap between species, fostering understanding and connection.
About our Charity Partner:
Zoo New England is dedicated to protecting wildlife, from right here in Massachusetts to ecosystems around the globe.
Through local and international initiatives, we safeguard species and their habitats while inspiring people to take action for nature. Locally, our award-winning HATCH Turtle Program protects threatened Blanding’s turtles and other native species through headstarting, monitoring, and habitat restoration. Globally, we partner with community-driven efforts like One Health in Madagascar, which addresses the connections between human well-being, wildlife conservation, and ecosystem resilience. We also support Giraffe conservation in Africa.
At Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo, the animals in our care serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts. Through immersive exhibits and educational programming, we highlight the challenges of habitat loss, climate change, and poaching—while also showcasing solutions through our many innovative field projects. Our participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plans helps ensure healthy, genetically diverse populations for species ranging from snow leopards to western lowland gorillas.
Behind the scenes, our Center for Zoonomics, a collaboration with the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, advances the field of conservation genomics. By decoding wildlife DNA, researchers are uncovering new ways to protect species' health and strengthen biodiversity worldwide.
As an AZA-accredited institution, Zoo New England’s commitment extends far beyond our gates. We support field conservation projects, provide scientific expertise, advocate for wildlife, and engage our community through citizen science, education, and volunteer opportunities.
Every ticket purchase, membership, and donation to Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo helps fuel this work—connecting people with wildlife and driving real conservation impact. Together, we can inspire action, protect species, and build a more resilient future for our planet.
