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Dimensions
TBC
Medium
Bronze with Bronze Patina
Edition Number
/15
Sponsored By
Sponsor Name
Description
A captivating bronze sculpture bench invites the public into a moment of beauty and reflection as a critically endangered Tapanuli orangutan sits at the center, holding a giant flower, with Rabbitwoman and Dogman seated on either side mirroring the gesture. Together, the trio creates a scene of quiet harmony, each figure cradling their flower as if it were the most precious gift. The orangutan represents wisdom, gentleness, and the fragile balance of the rainforest it calls home. Its place at the heart of the bench underscores its role as a symbol of both vulnerability and resilience. On either side, Rabbitwoman and Dogman — Gillie and Marc’s beloved Wildlife Warriors — hold their own giant flowers, embodying guardianship and solidarity. Their openness leaves space at both ends of the bench, inviting the public to sit, join in, and symbolically become part of this circle of care. The flowers themselves carry rich symbolism. They are fragile yet radiant, reminding us of the delicate beauty of nature and the fleeting opportunity we have to protect it. In the hands of the orangutan, the flower becomes a metaphor for the rainforest itself — vital, life-giving, and in need of protection. The Orangutan Bench of Friendship becomes more than a seat — it is a symbol of kinship, reflection, and the urgent need to protect these extraordinary great apes and the forests they depend on.
Sculpture Title
The Orangutan Bench of Friendship
Animal Name
Name goes here
Conservation Status
Critically Endangered
About the Tapanuli Orangutan
The Tapanuli orangutan is the rarest and most endangered great ape in the world, found only in the Batang Toru forests of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Discovered as a distinct species in 2017, it is genetically and behaviorally different from both the Sumatran and Bornean orangutans. Tapanuli orangutans have slightly frizzier hair, smaller heads, and a unique vocalization pattern that sets them apart. They live in dense montane forests, feeding on fruits, leaves, bark, and insects, and play a vital role in seed dispersal, which helps maintain the health of their ecosystem.
Sadly, this species faces an extremely high risk of extinction, with fewer than 800 individuals remaining. Their habitat is being rapidly lost to deforestation, illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure projects such as the Batang Toru hydroelectric dam. Fragmentation of their forest home isolates populations, making breeding and long-term survival even more difficult. Conservation efforts are now centered on protecting the remaining forest, halting destructive development, and working with local communities to promote sustainable land use. Without urgent global action, the Tapanuli orangutan could vanish within our lifetime, marking the tragic loss of a newly discovered branch of the great ape family.
How to Help
Inspired by animals that Gillie and Marc met on their travels, we invite the public to discover and interact with these beautiful creatures up close and personal – this allows audiences to connect, take photographs and share their favourite species with friends and family.
With more exposure comes more awareness and builds on the love we already have for animals around the world. With love comes a greater sense of urgency to create a change and save all endangered animals.
The sculpture will be aligned with the hashtag #GillieandMarc and #LoveTheLast to raise unparalleled awareness about the sculpture’s cause across the globe.
Give Back to Love The Last Wildlife Fund
With every edition purchased, Gillie and Marc will donate a percentage of proceeds to support Love The Last Wildlife Fund.
Love The Last Wildlife Fund is a global conservation organization devoted to saving 21 of the most critically endangered animals on Earth. Motivated by a deep love for nature and wildlife, the Fund focuses on protecting species that stand on the very edge of extinction through science-driven conservation, habitat restoration, and community collaboration.
Its initiatives include anti-poaching efforts, rescue and rehabilitation programs, and sustainable development projects that help local communities coexist with wildlife. By combining compassion with action, Love The Last Wildlife Fund works to ensure that these 21 remarkable species are not lost forever, preserving the planet’s natural heritage for future generations.
Artwork Features
Gillie and Marc love working in bronze for many reasons. Bronze is a very hardy material and will last forever. As experts in coloring bronze, Gillie and Marc enjoy experimenting with their sculptures, adding a splash of color to brighten the work, making it even more unique. > Read more
For every purchase of a bronze sculpture you will receive a certificate of authenticity, titled, signed, dated and editioned by the artists.
