BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 5. The exhibition
titled “The Superheroes of Wildlife” by renowned British and
Australian sculptors Gillie and Marc Schattner opened at the Heydar
Aliyev Center on February 4, Trend reports.
The Baku project is the largest exhibition presented by the
artists to date. Known as devoted defenders of wildlife, Gillie and
Marc have transformed art into an important platform for nature
conservation through their creative work. The exhibition not only
brings attention to the challenges facing wildlife but also offers
viewers a perspective filled with courage and hope.
Sculptor Gillie Schattner said that the main mission of the
exhibition is to spread messages of love and wildlife protection
through art. “Our goal is to encourage people to protect endangered
animals based on the experiences we have gained during our travels
around the world. We study, observe, draw, and depict animals. All
the sculptures presented in the exhibition are based on animals we
have seen in real life,” she emphasized.
Sculptor Marc Schattner noted that in Baku and Azerbaijan as a
whole, special importance is attached to nature conservation:
“During our discussions, we received detailed information about the
valuable initiatives implemented in Baku and across Azerbaijan in
the field of wildlife and environmental protection. This factor is
one of the main reasons that attracted us to the country. Because
here there is a deep and sincere connection with nature,” he
said.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of the Heydar Aliyev
Center Anar Alakbarov stated that nearly 100 works by Gillie and
Marc Schattner are on display at the Center. He noted that the
sculptors’ works have been exhibited in many countries around the
world. Alakbarov emphasized that the uniqueness of the project is
reflected in the artists’ significant efforts toward nature
conservation and their important role in this field. He added that
the “The Superheroes of Wildlife” exhibition will be open for more
than a year. Anar Alakbarov also expressed his gratitude to
everyone who contributed to the implementation of the project at
the Heydar Aliyev Center and expressed his deep appreciation to
Mehriban Aliyeva, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, for
her tremendous support in implementing the project.
“The Superheroes of Wildlife” highlights the future fate of
endangered species. The exhibition depicts the adventures of two
distinct yet inseparable heroes who have taken on the mission of
protecting nature, “Rabbit Woman” and “Dog Man.” These characters
embody the idea that “we are different, but we can live in harmony
with one another while caring for nature.” The paintings and
sculptures, both small and large in scale, invite viewers to
reflect on shared responsibility in protecting nature. Through art,
the exhibition delivers an important message to the world: to
surround wildlife with love and to fight for its preservation.
The Baku exhibition is not only about protecting wildlife, but
also a story of compassion, courage, and unity.
