This page is dedicated to Gillie and Marc Schattner whose art is exhibited around the world and whose art contributes to the preservation of endangered animals.
They now own, create and exhibit their art in the factory that Nazzareno and Ebe Bonaretti built in 1977.
They now own, create and exhibit their art in the factory that Nazzareno and Ebe Bonaretti built in 1977.
Read more about Gillie and Marc on Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillie_and_Marc
and on their website here: https://gillieandmarc.com
A personal recollection...
The dedication plaque on the building's facade mentioning the toy factory. The original single-storeyed factory (see photo below) was built in 1958-9, while the new factory complex was built in 1977
Thursday, 16th November, 2023.
What an amazing day of wonderful surprises.
It was for the occasion of my best friend’s milestone birthday that I arranged a surprise lunch for her, inviting her Melbourne-based sister and brother-in-law to Sydney to celebrate with us.
Lunch at Barangaroo was a happy occasion however, after lunch, the return flight to Melbourne, scheduled for the following day, was unexpectedly cancelled. With a day to spare, we took them to Kyeemagh and Brighton-le-Sands to show them the beautiful western shores of Botany Bay. Hoping that they were still interested, I pointed north across the foreshore and said, “That’s where the Bestoys factory was, in Botany,” remembering that they had once enquired about the place my parents, Nazzareno and Ebe, built and I lived in until 1985. They immediately insisted on seeing it up close.
The drive there took us along The Grand Parade, General Holmes Drive, Mill Pond Road, Botany Road, Bay Street and, finally, into the cul-de-sac that was Byrnes Street. There, being unloaded and clogging up the tightly packed parked-out street-end, was a semi with a forty-foot container backed onto the apron of the old factory at 19-21. Crate after crate was being unloaded and scattered about the narrow forecourt and footpath where they were carefully unpacked by a number of storemen and transferred into the factory complex by forklift and trolley.
My parents’ premises were now in the possession of acclaimed artists, Gillie and Marc! What an incredible sight! What an extraordinary fate for the factory they built in 1977!
Seeing four apparent strangers milling about the sculptures outside, a young man approached us. He politely introduced himself as Evan, the son-in-law of Gillie and Marc. Another surprise! We in turn introduced ourselves and explained who we were and why we were there. When I mentioned my connection to the building, Evan’s reaction was as though a long-lost relative had returned. Such a warm response and welcome!
Evan introduced us to Tash, one of the company’s managers, who invited us to look around anywhere we pleased! We were bowled over by this generous gesture.
We meandered through the ground floor of the old building; I was awestruck by the extensive renovations and repurposing of various areas. My three companions were equally impressed when I explained what those areas had once been: a car park, machinery hall, spray- and silk screen-printing room and assembly room. These now comprised an extensive showcase of world-famous Dog Man and Rabbit Woman sculptures. And the artwork! Paintings and sculptures filled every corner and wall and hung from the ceiling. Jaw-droppingly gobsmacking! Nazzareno and Ebe could never have imagined this.
Stepping up the relocated glassed-in stairwell we came to the first floor. The old five-bedroom apartment that hugged the north, east and south faces of the building was closed off to the public, now utilised as staff amenities and a studio in which the art is created. The old Alltoys showroom behind the apartment was unrecognizable. The tan and beige Vinylflex floor tiles had been removed (possibly because they may have contained asbestos) and replaced by a polished concrete floor. The back wall had been taken out, extending the display area through the former warehouse and to the back door. This led to the little triangular terrace over the former room which had housed the very noisy air compressor.
Above the original old showroom had been a dark and dingy mezzanine for surplus stock. The floor area had now been extended and the east-facing brick wall separating it from the second-floor terrace had been completely removed. In its place was a glass wall and doors, flooding the space with morning sun. What was originally dim and sunless was now a light and airy open-plan office where the business of selling and shipping artworks around the world took place.
Missing from the original build, and the cause of legal action against the builder, Battaglia, the saw-tooth roof was finally fitted with sarking, keeping the heat at bay in summer and the warmth entrapped in winter. The sarking’s shiny coating added reflected light onto the artwork below.
As I wandered through the building, images from 20th January, 2015 came to mind. That was the only other time I had been inside the building since my mother sold it. It had been altered by the various new owners – but not in a good way. When my father passed away in 1996, my mother stayed on alone in the apartment, leasing out various sections of the factory to independent businesses. By 1997, it had all become too much for her to manage. The property was sold on 4th July, 1997 to Paul Kenny a dealer in antiques. The building subsequently changed hands again on 26th June, 2012.
I had been corresponding with Rebecca Green through her website. She was – and still is – an avid collector of doll’s houses showcasing them on Rebecca’s Collections (http://rebeccascollections.blogspot.com/) and was interested to see the factory in which her Bestoys collection was made. When Rebecca and I visited, six years later, the then owner kindly allowed us access to all areas. Sadly, the five-bedroom apartment was sub-let room-by-room as a type of boarding house; the bathrooms were already 38 years old and showed their age. The factory and storage areas had been reduced to a series of sub-lets to all sorts of business enterprises – even a movie studio!
Upon leaving, I was saddened to think that the old place could be demolished anytime soon.
So now, seeing the structure my parents had built to accommodate a family of five, a manufactory, a warehouse, showroom and distribution centre of toys and nursery furniture, reincarnated as this wonderful space of creativity, was not only uplifting but emotionally overwhelming.
We must have wandered around every inch of the premises for about an hour. I explained to my three companions what used to be where and what had changed. The conveyor belt between the ground and first floor was removed and the openings closed. A new lift now served the purpose of transferring items and people between floors. (How my father would have appreciated that in his final years!). And so many more changes that brought the building into the 21st century.
As though this was not enough, Tash introduced us to Gillie! Gillie had been informed of our visit and expressed a wish to meet us! She took the time out to come and meet the daughter of the original owners of the building and to say how she and Marc had felt a connection with the building and its original purpose. My knees all but gave way and it was all I could do to not blubber. Perhaps an over-reaction but, after taking in the amazing transformation of the site and how my companions had been so impressed by the art and the generous invitation to roam around unescorted, it was truly overwhelming.
Gillie invited us to take whatever souvenir items were for sale in the shop – anything – without exception! Another generous offering! Inhibited by appearing greedy, we chose three calico carry bags printed with some of the Gillie and Marc art on sale.
I signed the guest book in a very shaky hand, belying my controlled outward demeanour.
It was now, regrettably, time to go as we had made a reservation for lunch back around Botany Bay.
As we were about to leave, yet another surprise!
Tash approached me with a book: a hard cover, full colour edition of “Gillie and Marc, 25 years of love and art”. Opening it caused my breath to catch. There, was an inscription to me signed by Gillie and Marc. This did bring tears to my eyes.
The, a final “big bang”! Both Gillie and Marc stopped to greet us! They were on their way out and needn’t have stopped, but they did. All four of us were truly captivated by their down-to-earth manner, their generosity and their openness. What else should we have expected? Their charitable work with animals should have told us all about them. They are true champions of endangered species around the world.
If only my parents knew what had become of their “toy factory” they would have overwhelmingly approved and been humbled by the plaque dedicated to the building’s former incarnation.
It was truly an amazing day of wonderful surprises and one that my companions and I will never forget.
What an amazing day of wonderful surprises.
It was for the occasion of my best friend’s milestone birthday that I arranged a surprise lunch for her, inviting her Melbourne-based sister and brother-in-law to Sydney to celebrate with us.
Lunch at Barangaroo was a happy occasion however, after lunch, the return flight to Melbourne, scheduled for the following day, was unexpectedly cancelled. With a day to spare, we took them to Kyeemagh and Brighton-le-Sands to show them the beautiful western shores of Botany Bay. Hoping that they were still interested, I pointed north across the foreshore and said, “That’s where the Bestoys factory was, in Botany,” remembering that they had once enquired about the place my parents, Nazzareno and Ebe, built and I lived in until 1985. They immediately insisted on seeing it up close.
The drive there took us along The Grand Parade, General Holmes Drive, Mill Pond Road, Botany Road, Bay Street and, finally, into the cul-de-sac that was Byrnes Street. There, being unloaded and clogging up the tightly packed parked-out street-end, was a semi with a forty-foot container backed onto the apron of the old factory at 19-21. Crate after crate was being unloaded and scattered about the narrow forecourt and footpath where they were carefully unpacked by a number of storemen and transferred into the factory complex by forklift and trolley.
My parents’ premises were now in the possession of acclaimed artists, Gillie and Marc! What an incredible sight! What an extraordinary fate for the factory they built in 1977!
Seeing four apparent strangers milling about the sculptures outside, a young man approached us. He politely introduced himself as Evan, the son-in-law of Gillie and Marc. Another surprise! We in turn introduced ourselves and explained who we were and why we were there. When I mentioned my connection to the building, Evan’s reaction was as though a long-lost relative had returned. Such a warm response and welcome!
Evan introduced us to Tash, one of the company’s managers, who invited us to look around anywhere we pleased! We were bowled over by this generous gesture.
We meandered through the ground floor of the old building; I was awestruck by the extensive renovations and repurposing of various areas. My three companions were equally impressed when I explained what those areas had once been: a car park, machinery hall, spray- and silk screen-printing room and assembly room. These now comprised an extensive showcase of world-famous Dog Man and Rabbit Woman sculptures. And the artwork! Paintings and sculptures filled every corner and wall and hung from the ceiling. Jaw-droppingly gobsmacking! Nazzareno and Ebe could never have imagined this.
Stepping up the relocated glassed-in stairwell we came to the first floor. The old five-bedroom apartment that hugged the north, east and south faces of the building was closed off to the public, now utilised as staff amenities and a studio in which the art is created. The old Alltoys showroom behind the apartment was unrecognizable. The tan and beige Vinylflex floor tiles had been removed (possibly because they may have contained asbestos) and replaced by a polished concrete floor. The back wall had been taken out, extending the display area through the former warehouse and to the back door. This led to the little triangular terrace over the former room which had housed the very noisy air compressor.
Above the original old showroom had been a dark and dingy mezzanine for surplus stock. The floor area had now been extended and the east-facing brick wall separating it from the second-floor terrace had been completely removed. In its place was a glass wall and doors, flooding the space with morning sun. What was originally dim and sunless was now a light and airy open-plan office where the business of selling and shipping artworks around the world took place.
Missing from the original build, and the cause of legal action against the builder, Battaglia, the saw-tooth roof was finally fitted with sarking, keeping the heat at bay in summer and the warmth entrapped in winter. The sarking’s shiny coating added reflected light onto the artwork below.
As I wandered through the building, images from 20th January, 2015 came to mind. That was the only other time I had been inside the building since my mother sold it. It had been altered by the various new owners – but not in a good way. When my father passed away in 1996, my mother stayed on alone in the apartment, leasing out various sections of the factory to independent businesses. By 1997, it had all become too much for her to manage. The property was sold on 4th July, 1997 to Paul Kenny a dealer in antiques. The building subsequently changed hands again on 26th June, 2012.
I had been corresponding with Rebecca Green through her website. She was – and still is – an avid collector of doll’s houses showcasing them on Rebecca’s Collections (http://rebeccascollections.blogspot.com/) and was interested to see the factory in which her Bestoys collection was made. When Rebecca and I visited, six years later, the then owner kindly allowed us access to all areas. Sadly, the five-bedroom apartment was sub-let room-by-room as a type of boarding house; the bathrooms were already 38 years old and showed their age. The factory and storage areas had been reduced to a series of sub-lets to all sorts of business enterprises – even a movie studio!
Upon leaving, I was saddened to think that the old place could be demolished anytime soon.
So now, seeing the structure my parents had built to accommodate a family of five, a manufactory, a warehouse, showroom and distribution centre of toys and nursery furniture, reincarnated as this wonderful space of creativity, was not only uplifting but emotionally overwhelming.
We must have wandered around every inch of the premises for about an hour. I explained to my three companions what used to be where and what had changed. The conveyor belt between the ground and first floor was removed and the openings closed. A new lift now served the purpose of transferring items and people between floors. (How my father would have appreciated that in his final years!). And so many more changes that brought the building into the 21st century.
As though this was not enough, Tash introduced us to Gillie! Gillie had been informed of our visit and expressed a wish to meet us! She took the time out to come and meet the daughter of the original owners of the building and to say how she and Marc had felt a connection with the building and its original purpose. My knees all but gave way and it was all I could do to not blubber. Perhaps an over-reaction but, after taking in the amazing transformation of the site and how my companions had been so impressed by the art and the generous invitation to roam around unescorted, it was truly overwhelming.
Gillie invited us to take whatever souvenir items were for sale in the shop – anything – without exception! Another generous offering! Inhibited by appearing greedy, we chose three calico carry bags printed with some of the Gillie and Marc art on sale.
I signed the guest book in a very shaky hand, belying my controlled outward demeanour.
It was now, regrettably, time to go as we had made a reservation for lunch back around Botany Bay.
As we were about to leave, yet another surprise!
Tash approached me with a book: a hard cover, full colour edition of “Gillie and Marc, 25 years of love and art”. Opening it caused my breath to catch. There, was an inscription to me signed by Gillie and Marc. This did bring tears to my eyes.
The, a final “big bang”! Both Gillie and Marc stopped to greet us! They were on their way out and needn’t have stopped, but they did. All four of us were truly captivated by their down-to-earth manner, their generosity and their openness. What else should we have expected? Their charitable work with animals should have told us all about them. They are true champions of endangered species around the world.
If only my parents knew what had become of their “toy factory” they would have overwhelmingly approved and been humbled by the plaque dedicated to the building’s former incarnation.
It was truly an amazing day of wonderful surprises and one that my companions and I will never forget.
The book signed by Gillie and Marc on the day of our visit 16th November, 2023
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The "Gillie and Mark" book and canvas carry bag gift
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Some pics taken on the day:
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The factory and house owned by Nazzareno and Ebe Bonaretti, that occupied 19-21 Byrnes Street at the end of 1976 prior to demolition.
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The new premises completed in 1977, incorporating five-bedroom apartment, terrace, carpark, toymaking factory, showroom and warehouse over three levels. The building was sold in 1999.
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The premises purchased by Gillie and Marc in 2022 and completely renovated and repurposed as a centre for their incomparable art.
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Shorts posted on YouTube and Facebook announcing the opening of Gillie and Marc's "The Factory" in 2022
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Posted on YouTube on 28th February 2022, this clip announces the move to 19-21 Byrnes Street, Botany.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVUQMg8JEp0 The text accompanying the clip: Welcome to… “The Factory”. Realised by internationally renowned artists, Gillie and Marc, this new art gallery and studio is situated in the heart of Botany in Sydney, Australia. Originally developed as a toy factory in the 1950s that will now be the production centre for all the artist’s work. “30 years ago we had this dream to create our own art factory, just like Warhol. But it’s only been the past 5 years that we actually realised this is what we really wanted. We wanted to create something that was truly amazing, a building that was bursting with art,” explained Marc of their new home. The Factory, named in homage to Warhol as well as the history of the building, is a 2500 m² building that will include studio space, gallery space, play space, creative space, and a rooftop garden. "We’ve made a promise that there will always be something new whenever people come. We never liked the idea that galleries always showed the same work. We promise to continually create, innovate, and display new work all the time" said Gillie about the exciting and fresh works on display. To find out more or arrange a gallery tour, visit gillieandmarc.com |
Posted on Facebook on 2nd March, 2022, this clip announcing the move to 19-21 Byrnes Street, Botany
https://www.facebook.com/gillieandmarc/videos/629964024762653/ The text accompanying the clip: WELCOME TO ‘THE FACTORY’. Please tell us what you think of our new gallery 30 years ago we had this dream to create our own art factory, just like Warhol. But it’s only been in the past 5 years that we actually realised this is what we really wanted. We wanted to create something that was truly amazing, a building that was bursting with art. We called it ‘The Factory’ as homage to Warhol as well as the history of the building. It is a 2500 m² building that includes studio space, gallery space, play space, creative space and a rooftop garden. We’ve made a promise that there will always be something new whenever people come in. We never liked the idea that galleries always showed the same work. We promise to continually create, innovate and display new work all the time. Words can’t describe our excitement in sharing our dream come true - and we want to invite you all to tour this dream space. Click here https://gillieandmarc.com/pages/contact in bio to book your virtual or in-person tour |
Grand opening was on Thursday, 31st March 2022
Posted on Facebook on 4th April, 2022, this clip is of the official opening of the new Gillie and Marc "The Factory".
https://www.facebook.com/gillieandmarc/videos/488686606241104/
The clip and the text accompanying it clip:
Posted on Facebook on 4th April, 2022, this clip is of the official opening of the new Gillie and Marc "The Factory".
https://www.facebook.com/gillieandmarc/videos/488686606241104/
The clip and the text accompanying it clip:
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EXCITING NEWS Our doors are officially open! Comment if you want a free tour!
Last Thursday night, we officially opened our new gallery – ‘The Factory’. It has been our dream for over 30 years to have a space like this and now it has finally come true! With over 250 of you celebrating with us, it was truly humbling, we are YOUR biggest fans! The energy and passion resulted in thousands of dollars being donated to the WWF Australia through ticket & event purchases. Thank you for your support, your kind words, your enthusiasm and love for animals. We dedicated this space to our conservation work and make a pledge that we will always have new and exciting art on display. Our doors are now OFFICIALLY OPEN and we invite you to join us in our new space. If you would like to visit or take a personalised virtual tour of the space, please comment and visit the link in bio. PS. Champagne will be provided @wwf_australia #gillieandmarc |
This virtual tour of the premises is no longer active. It is included to show the three levels of the original build and how Gillie and Marc have utilised the space
Gillie and Marc's sculptures can be found everywhere. Here are just a few encountered:
Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - 2nd February, 2024
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He knew it was going to be a year of good fortune
Dogman on display at Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - 2nd February, 2024
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Dogman on display at Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - 2nd February, 2024
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Description next to Dogman on display at Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - 2nd February, 2024
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A snippet from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillie_and_Marc regarding the Dogman sculpture above (no infringement of copyright intended...)
New York City Chinatown controversy
In 2018 they gained attention and controversy for two public sculptures in New York City.
Gillie and Marc created a sculpture to celebrate the Chinese ‘Year of the Dog’ titled "He knew this was going to be a year of good fortune." The sculpture shows their Dogman character holding a very large red apple. One copy was installed in a Melbourne shopping mall, while the other was intended to be unveiled the day before the Lunar New Year in New York City's Chinatown at Kimlau Square, which holds a memorial to Chinese-American World War II veterans.
The Chinatown community prevented the work from being installed. Led by Amy Chin, Special Advisor for Cultural Initiatives of the Chinatown Partnership, the community circulated a petition that said it would have been demeaning to place the statue, “under the Arch named for Lt. Benjamin R. Kimlau,” who died in World War II fighting for the United States. “This insulting image of a ‘Dog-Man’ has no place next to this sacred and solemn community site where we honor our community heroes.” The petition gained more than 300 signatories within the first 24 hours.
Questions have also been raised about the process used to select the project for one of the neighborhood’s most visible public spaces. Karlin Chan, the lone Chinese member of the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Affairs, & Waterfront Committee of Community Board 3, said that the sculpture is reflective of "a well-intentioned but wrong approach." However, Wellington Chen, the head of the LDC, said "Chinatown is the biggest victim. The neighborhood is not as vibrant as it was before. The sculpture was to be placed here to bring tourists in. Now Chinatown is bleeding."
New York City Chinatown controversy
In 2018 they gained attention and controversy for two public sculptures in New York City.
Gillie and Marc created a sculpture to celebrate the Chinese ‘Year of the Dog’ titled "He knew this was going to be a year of good fortune." The sculpture shows their Dogman character holding a very large red apple. One copy was installed in a Melbourne shopping mall, while the other was intended to be unveiled the day before the Lunar New Year in New York City's Chinatown at Kimlau Square, which holds a memorial to Chinese-American World War II veterans.
The Chinatown community prevented the work from being installed. Led by Amy Chin, Special Advisor for Cultural Initiatives of the Chinatown Partnership, the community circulated a petition that said it would have been demeaning to place the statue, “under the Arch named for Lt. Benjamin R. Kimlau,” who died in World War II fighting for the United States. “This insulting image of a ‘Dog-Man’ has no place next to this sacred and solemn community site where we honor our community heroes.” The petition gained more than 300 signatories within the first 24 hours.
Questions have also been raised about the process used to select the project for one of the neighborhood’s most visible public spaces. Karlin Chan, the lone Chinese member of the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Affairs, & Waterfront Committee of Community Board 3, said that the sculpture is reflective of "a well-intentioned but wrong approach." However, Wellington Chen, the head of the LDC, said "Chinatown is the biggest victim. The neighborhood is not as vibrant as it was before. The sculpture was to be placed here to bring tourists in. Now Chinatown is bleeding."
The Object Room, 534 Chapel Street, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia - February, 2024
A wide range of Gillie and Marc sculptures available in store and online. (With thanks to The Object Room for the photos from their gallery below - no intention to infringe copyright.)
https://theobjectroom.com/
A wide range of Gillie and Marc sculptures available in store and online. (With thanks to The Object Room for the photos from their gallery below - no intention to infringe copyright.)
https://theobjectroom.com/
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