"A Wild Life for Wildlife" by Gillie and Marc

Photos by Sophie Singh

Contemporary artists Gillie and Marc, known as “eco warriors, with a deep respect for the close spiritual bond between humans and animals” are taking us to the wild side at The World Trade Center with their latest exhibition “A Wild Life For Wildlife”.  Rabbitwoman and Dogman, Gillie and Marc’s best known and beloved characters, take us on a journey with endangered animals who ride in tandem in hopes for a better tomorrow. Gillie and Marc invite the public to join the beautiful, endangered creatures in a quest to educate the public about each animal’s “life, needs, and threats..putting wildlife conservation at the center of people’s cities and lives.” With a sister exhibition running alongside in London, we can help share endangered species’ stories through the hashtag #LoveTheLast.

"Play The Hand That's Dealt You" by Yvonne Wells

Crafting quilts dates back to the seventeenth century and the art of quilting, which was championed by enslaved females, became a way to preserve Black History, culture, and oral storytelling. Yvonne Wells, an African-American folk artist and quilter hailing from Tuscaloosa, Alabama is known for her beautifully crafted narrative quilts which tell stories of US history, cultural icons, and religious subject matter. A self-taught artist, Ms. Wells weaves heritage techniques in her work, yet “she embraces an intuitive approach, sewing together fragments of fabric by hand into the compositions she envisions in her mind.” As the artist has remarked, “the materials I use have their own stories and histories… the quilts talk to me, and I listen.” Ms. Wells’ fascinatingly crafted works speak to us all and you can catch the exhibit “Play The Hand That’s Dealt You” at The Fort Gansevoort Gallery until August 12th. 

“The Apple” by Stephan Weiss

At the heart of Hudson River Park’s Apple Garden, sits “The Apple”, a nine feet tall, three ton ode to the city where visitors can sit upon the circular bench at its base and enjoy the pleasant views of the Hudson River. “The Apple” was designed by artist Stephan Weiss, a New York native and the late husband of renowned fashion designer Donna Karan. While Mr. Weiss played a large role in launching and running his wife’s famous fashion label, he never stepped away from his art. He spent much of his time working on his sculptures and abstract paintings in his art studio on Greenwich Street in the West Village. As part of Mr. Weiss’ Larger than Life series, “The Apple” honors our beloved New York City and symbolizes both the city’s heart and the core of life. Mr. Weiss’ structure truly brings to life what it means to live in “The Big Apple.”