The Wonderful Two

Exhibit Title:
The Wonderful Two

Exhibition Locations:

  • Permanent public installation at St Kilda Pier, 36 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda VIC 3182

Exhibition Dates:

  • Unveiled February 2, 2019 – Permanent Exhibition

About the Exhibition:
The Wonderful Two is a deeply moving and imaginative sculpture by acclaimed artists Gillie and Marc, honouring the only two remaining northern white rhinos — Najin and Fatu. Positioned along Melbourne’s iconic St Kilda Pier, the five-metre-long bronze sculpture is inspired by the legendary “pushmi-pullyu” from the Dr Dolittle stories. In a poetic yet sobering design, the rhinos are conjoined at the body, with their heads facing opposite directions — symbolising their desperate pull toward safety, and the tragic reality of their plight.

This powerful public artwork is both a celebration of survival and a call for urgent conservation. With golden horns, the sculpture draws attention to the tragic value placed on rhino horn, which has driven the species to the brink of extinction. By combining beauty, storytelling, and whimsy, Gillie and Marc aim to inspire hope rather than sorrow — turning this sculpture into a beacon of awareness and action.

Following the global success of The Last Three in New York — which paid tribute to the last male northern white rhino, Sudan — The Wonderful Two continues the artists’ legacy of raising awareness through public art. It brings the endangered species into the public eye in an unforgettable way, encouraging compassion, education, and action.

About the Animals:
Najin and Fatu are the last two northern white rhinos on Earth, both female and living under 24-hour protection at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Functionally extinct, they are unable to breed naturally. Their story is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of poaching and habitat loss.

Rhino horn, composed of keratin (the same substance as human nails), is still falsely believed to have medicinal properties, fuelling a deadly black market. Unless urgent action is taken, the northern white rhino could vanish forever.

Project Partners:

  • Republica – A Melbourne beachfront bar and restaurant supporting environmental causes

  • Ol Pejeta Conservancy – Home to Najin and Fatu and leader in rhino protection

  • St Kilda Sea Baths – Venue committed to marine and wildlife education

  • Encompass Africa – Conservation-focused African safari experts

  • Digital Next Australia – Digital marketing partner supporting conservation awareness

  • Marmalade – Creative agency supporting campaign messaging

  • Leonard Joel – Auction house leading the ban on ivory and rhino horn sales

How to Help:
The sculpture forms part of the global #LoveTheLast campaign. Visitors are encouraged to share photos with the artwork using the hashtag and to learn more via on-site signage. Donations can be made directly to support Najin and Fatu at Ol Pejeta Conservancy:
👉 Donate Here

 

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