Faces of the Wild

Exhibit Title:
Faces of the Wild

Exhibition Locations:

  • Permanent public installation at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513

  • Past exhibition: Ruth Wittenberg Triangle, New York City (April 1 – July 31, 2022)

Exhibition Dates:

  • Brookfield Zoo: Permanent Exhibition

  • New York City: April 1 – July 31, 2022

About the Exhibition:
Faces of the Wild brings humanity face to face with extinction. Created by internationally renowned artists Gillie and Marc, this emotionally powerful series features nine monumental bronze busts of the world’s most endangered animals, each standing at 1.8 meters tall. The sculptures offer an extraordinary encounter — not in the wild, but in the heart of the city or zoo — where visitors can look directly into the eyes of creatures that may soon disappear forever.

The featured animals include the northern white rhino, chimpanzee, addax, western lowland gorilla, polar bear, red wolf, African forest elephant, hippopotamus, and lion. These sculptures are based on 15 years of field sketches and photographs by the artists and capture each creature’s soul through detailed, intimate portraiture. The goal is simple yet profound: to awaken empathy, connection, and action through direct interaction.

Visitors are invited not just to view, but to touch and engage — even to rest their foreheads against those of the animals in a symbolic gesture of love and reverence. Each sculpture is accompanied by an educational QR code, unlocking deeper knowledge about the species’ plight and what can be done to help.

Faces of the Wild is more than an art installation. It is a powerful conservation campaign in partnership with WWF, NYC DOT, the Village Alliance, and The Thomas Collective — combining public art, education, and emotional storytelling to spark a global movement for endangered species.

In the age of mass extinction, this exhibition creates a new kind of sanctuary — one of awareness, action, and hope.

Featured Species:

  • Northern White Rhino

  • Chimpanzee

  • Addax

  • Western Lowland Gorilla

  • Polar Bear

  • Red Wolf

  • African Forest Elephant

  • Hippopotamus

  • Lion

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