Ten large-scale bronze animal sculptures have arrived in Kingston upon Thames as part of a wildlife sculpture exhibition by internationally recognised artists Gillie and Marc.
Following their successful Chimps Are Family exhibition last year, the art duo felt passionate about bringing more of their sculptures to Kingston.
They said: “The way people interacted with the chimps, whether it be hugging them, laughing with them or learning from them it was exactly what we hoped for.
“It showed us just how powerful public art can be in fostering empathy and action for endangered species.”
The new animal-themed exhibition, Wild Kingston, was distributed along Clarence Street on 6 November.
As part of a series hoping to raise awareness of the importance of protecting endangered species, the exhibition includes sculptures of an elephant, gorilla, giant tortoise and rhino, among others.
The artists said: “We carefully chose animals that are not only visually striking but also critically endangered and in need of protection.
“Each species featured has a story to tell, speaking to issues like habitat destruction, poaching, or climate change.”
A single sculpture takes between one and two years to complete, but the artists say that from the initial sketching stage to sculpting, casting and finishing, every step is a labour of love and craftsmanship.
Kingston residents have already praised the exhibition, with Lisa Jones admiring the beauty and detail of each piece as well as the impact they have had on the town.
She said: “They are truly incredible, and I just love when art is made freely accessible to the public.
“It’s nice that an effort has been made to improve the town centre for the locals.”
But beyond appreciating their aesthetics and decorative nature, Gillie and Marc want passers-by to stop, engage, and connect with the sculptures.
They said: “Art has a way of breaking down barriers, making complex issues like conservation feel personal, in a way that facts and figures alone cannot.
“When you see a sculpture, when you interact with it, it becomes real to you and it makes you care.
“That’s the first step in making a difference, because art sparks empathy, and empathy leads to action.
“If we can make even one person think differently about their relationship with the natural world, then we’ve done our job.”
However, Surbiton Resident Tom Allen is uncertain on how effective the exhibition will be in sparking conversations about conservation.
He said: “I’ve stopped to look at them a few times because I think they’re cool, but not because of any underlying conservational meaning.
“I think it’s a very good idea to raise awareness, but if I’m honest when I first saw them I didn’t realise it was all about endangered wildlife.”
Gillie and Marc believe that placing their sculptures in the heart of town will allow people to have spontaneous moments of discovery.
They said: “Kingston is a vibrant and diverse community with a real appreciation for art and culture.
“It’s also a place where people are open to new ideas and conversations.”
Each sculpture offers information about the species and a way to donate directly to the World Wildlife Fund via a QR code.
The sculptures will remain on display throughout Kingston upon Thames until November 2025.
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