Wildlife Wonders

Celebrated international artists Gillie and Marc have installed once of the world’s largest bronze octopus sculptures outside the the World Trade Centre Oculus!

Known for their meaningful and playful artworks, Gillie and Marc have graced Manhattan with their creations, showcasing how art can inspire positive change.

Gillie and Marc have a long history of raising awareness about endangered wildlife through their art. As devoted wildlife advocates, they have brilliantly merged their passion for animals into grand sculptures that captivate and inform the public about conservation's importance worldwide. Leveraging their expertise with bronze, the artists have created interactive sculptures featuring their well-known characters, Rabbitwoman and Dogman. These characters combine whimsy with modern aesthetics while conveying significant messages of equality, acceptance, and conservation.

“In the last 50 years, wildlife populations have plummeted by 69% globally. We are now facing the world’s sixth mass extinction,” Gillie stated. “This crisis is beyond description, yet we remain hopeful and committed to witnessing change within our lifetimes. We trust that our art and the stories we tell can inspire people to engage in vital conversations and take meaningful action.”

Their commitment to wildlife preservation is clear in their art, which seeks to not only enchant but also educate and encourage the public to support conservation initiatives.

The centerpiece of the exhibition is the debut sculpture, ‘The Arms of Friendship.’ This sculpture invites people to experience true awe by sitting on a tentacle belonging to the world’s biggest bronze octopus. This colossal sculpture, spanning an impressive 36 feet, it cradles some of our planet’s most iconic and endangered creatures within its eight limbs. This 7-tonne sculpture is cast bronze and crafted with meticulous detail, but unlike other public installations of this scale, this sculpture is designed to be touched and felt. The artists’ are passionate about fostering a connection between people and wildlife, further enhancing the support that these endangered species so deserve, so Gillie and Marc encourage people to take a seat on a giant tentacle and enjoy a moment with a magnificent animal which they may never get the chance to experience in the wild.

Additionally, the exhibition features two of their signature interactive sculptures that continue to highlight the crucial message of conservation.

The second sculpture in the exhibition is a dinner party like no other, in the bronze piece titled ‘The Wild Table of Love’. This artwork invites anyone to a symbolic banquet in bronze, where the table is set for both humans and animals. The artists’ beloved characters Rabbitwoman and Dogman, who are known for their messages of love and adventure, host this event. They sit at a grand six-meter-long table with ten of the world's most endangered animals, and two spare seats for the public to join in, offering a powerful message of protection and care for our planet's threatened creatures.

The third in the series is titled ‘The Hippo Was Hungry To Try New Things With Rabbitwoman’. This sculptural artwork represents a poignant conversation between a hippo and Rabbitwoman. The hippo, often misunderstood as bad-tempered and dangerous, yearns for space and waterholes to thrive. Tragically, over 95% of hippos have disappeared in the DRC due to drying waterholes. Sharing her concerns over coffee and watermelons, the artists’ iconic character ‘Rabbitwoman’ listens intently. This piece symbolizes the need for collective effort to address the hippo’s plight.

“We created Rabbitwoman and Dogman as human-wildlife hybrids, bridging the human and wild worlds. They have become our alter egos and protectors of wildlife,” Marc commented. “They journey around the globe spreading inspiration to love and safeguard our planet and its wildlife. We delight in seeing people interact with them and having fun while learning about wildlife conservation.”

This free public exhibition will be located outside the Oculus Building at the World Trade Centre from July 16th, 2024, until July 31st, 2025.