Melbourne: The Wonderful Two
Permanent Exhibition
St Kilda Pier, 36 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda VIC 3182
About the Exhibition
In The Wonderful Two, Najin and Fatu will be connected in the middle in a design inspired by the ‘pushmi-pullyu’ from the classic Dr Dolittle books by Hugh Lofting. They will be connected in the middle, with their heads facing opposite directions trying to pull each other to safety, while constricted by the reality of their situation. Najin and Fatu have remained together in their fight to survive, but are stuck in the plight of Northern White Rhinos. This sculpture will continue to spread their message in innovative ways to inspire rhino conservation around the world.
Their horns will also be gold to symbolise the perceived value of the horns their species is killed for. This combination of striking visual elements is designed to disarm with the playful nature of the sculpture which is spreading a message that can be upsetting. By depicting them this way, Gillie and Marc do not want the sculpture to be unsettling but to be a celebration of the survival of the mother and daughter pair.
About The Project
For a brief moment in history, on 19 March 2018 the world stopped as news spread about the tragic loss of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino. However, in light of this news, there was a glimmer of hope among shattered hearts in the form of a bronze rhino sculpture, titled The Last Three.
Installed in New York City by internationally renowned artists Gillie and Marc, the 5.2-metre tall artwork was launched mere 4 days before the death of Sudan. The sculpture became a powerful memorial, to which millions of residents and tourists flocked.
The mission? Create a legacy of Sudan and his species through art, spreading awareness and inspiring action to save all rhinos from extinction. Following the breathtaking success of The Last Three, Gillie and Marc teamed up with Melbourne’s iconic Republica at St. Kilda Sea Baths and world-class sponsors to continue their endeavour with the launch of history’s most important rhino sculpture, featuring the only remaining northern white rhinos - Najin and Fatu.
The Wonderful Two will be a larger-than-life, 5-meter long representation of Najin and Fatu, and for many, the most surprising sculpture ever seen. “The sculpture will depict Najin and Fatu connected in the middle, with their heads facing opposite directions. Both rhinos are trying to pull each other the opposite way to safety. It seems their fate is stuck in place and time with only two left on earth and no simple direction to freedom,” explains Gillie. “Through the sculpture, we want audiences to understand that, while Najin and Fatu have stuck together in their fight to survive, they are intertwined by the plight of all rhinos and unless humanity steps up to help, they will remain in this place forever,” adds Marc.
About The Animal
The Northern White Rhino is sadly one of the animals that we may see go extinct in our lifetimes. With only two left in the world, both females, the species is considered functionally extinct. The two remaining rhinos, Fatu and her daughter Najin are kept in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya under 24-hour surveillance. It is heartbreaking that this is necessary, but with poaching for their precious horns being such a threat they cannot risk it. Their horns are made of keratin, the same substance as our hair and fingernails, and is used in traditional Chinese medicines. Even though it has been scientifically proven to have no benefits it is still in high demand, fuelling a thriving trade on the black market. Now, all rhinos are in trouble and it so important that we raise awareness so we can stop this trade once and for all, protecting one of our most iconic animals in the process.
More Information
For a brief moment in history, on 19 March 2018 the world stopped as news spread about the tragic loss of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino. However, in light of this news, there was a glimmer of hope among shattered hearts in the form of a bronze rhino sculpture, titled The Last Three.
Installed in New York City by internationally renowned artists Gillie and Marc, the 5.2-metre tall artwork was launched mere 4 days before the death of Sudan. The sculpture became a powerful memorial, to which millions of residents and tourists flocked.
The mission? Create a legacy of Sudan and his species through art, spreading awareness and inspiring action to save all rhinos from extinction. Following the breathtaking success of The Last Three, Gillie and Marc teamed up with Melbourne’s iconic Republica at St. Kilda Sea Baths and world-class sponsors to continue their endeavour with the launch of history’s most important rhino sculpture, featuring the only remaining northern white rhinos - Najin and Fatu.
The Wonderful Two will be a larger-than-life, 5-meter long representation of Najin and Fatu, and for many, the most surprising sculpture ever seen. “The sculpture will depict Najin and Fatu connected in the middle, with their heads facing opposite directions. Both rhinos are trying to pull each other the opposite way to safety. It seems their fate is stuck in place and time with only two left on earth and no simple direction to freedom,” explains Gillie. “Through the sculpture, we want audiences to understand that, while Najin and Fatu have stuck together in their fight to survive, they are intertwined by the plight of all rhinos and unless humanity steps up to help, they will remain in this place forever,” adds Marc.
Exhibition Dates
On 2nd February 2019, The Wonderful Two was unveiled in Melbourne, offering lifelong memories through a unique and interactive sculpture experience. The bronze immortalisation of Najin and Fatu by Australian eco-warrior artists Gillie and Marc will be instrumental in bringing hope to the survival of rhinos!
Exhibition Location
The sculpture was proudly launched at Republica, St. Kilda Sea Baths, right on the St Kilda foreshore, on Melbourne’s second most visited destination, St Kilda Beach. This is an incredible location that will give visibility and create awareness for this very important cause. This admirable destination attracts millions of tourists each year for its panoramic views of the city skyline and Port Phillip Bay.
