The Road Less Travelled

Linton and Kay Contemporary Galleries
123 Hay Street, Subiaco, Western Australia
FEBRUARY 2010

Gillie and Marc have literally taken the road less travelled both in art, marriage and life.

Gillie being English and brought up in Africa has enjoyed living in every corner of world. Her dream was to meet a fellow traveler, artist and partner. 20 years ago in Hong Kong she met Marc, traveler, explorer, and artist. 7 days later they took the road to Pokhara, Nepal at the foothill of Everest and got married.

Painting together as one person for the past 20 years they have developed a truly unique style and artistic approach.

Robert Frost wrote; ‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference’.

He was definitely talking about Gillie and Marc. Frost’s words had a profound effect on Gillie and Marc. They believe it’s the duty of the artist to not be a follower and choose the easy road but take the path filled with the unexpected, and push boundaries. Gillie and Marc believe in power of art to change opinions, attitudes and finally actions. As contemporary artists they maintain it’s the duty of the artist to challenge the status quo and finally cause change.

In 2005 they believed that art could save lives with their exhibition ‘Life Cant Wait.’ They used their art to change the lives of 12 Australians who urgently needed an organ donation. The exhibition saved lives. It toured around Australia raising awareness which finally resulted in a change to legislation.

Their controversial art and sculptures address many taboo subjects, all in the belief that art has the power to shift opinion and action.

Their 3 metre nude sculpture of ‘Good Boy’ was censored by many, but now enjoys mainstream acceptance touring the country with the Contemporanea art exhibition.

And their giant 3 metre tall sculpture of a dog picking up it’s own poo symbolises the small actions we can all take to change our environment. The couple hope that through humour people will see how we must all take responsibility for our own actions. They say; “It is a small message that can have a profound symbolic effect for the entire world”.

Gillie and Marc in this exhibition ‘THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED’ use the iconic imagery of the dog human hybrid, or Theriocephaly. Theriocephaly is the condition or quality of having the head of an animal. Gillie and Marc have long been fascinated by the early art of cave paintings, and Egyptology. This celebrates the spiritual connection between man and animal. Over time they developed a special interest in the dog man recognizing the unique relationship man has with dogs, and how that relationship crosses all borders, religions, and languages.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED takes the spirit of man and dog and couple it with the spirit of adventure.

This exhibition celebrates the desire in all of us that seeks out adventure, individuality, and the choice to take “the road less travelled.”

Every aspect of Gillie and Marc Schattner’s art has both their minds and hands on it; they paint together on the same canvas to reflect their passions and influences in life. Inspired by their Golden Retriever Moby, Gillie and Marc have been painting together for the past 20 years and have exhibited their art all over the world. Together they are international award winning artists and Archibald Prize Finalists.