Meet Paparazzi Dog and Paparazzi Rabbit

Visitors walking through Ninigret Park may notice two characters keeping a close eye on things.

Meet Paparazzi Dog and Paparazzi Rabbit, two bronze sculptures by internationally known artist duo Gillie and Marc. Officially titled Watch Out for Paparazzi Dog and Watch Out for Paparazzi Rabbit, the pieces are part of a traveling public art installation that has found a temporary home in one of Charlestown's best-known public spaces.

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The sculptures may look like a quirky addition to the park, but their arrival was the result of a proposal that went through Charlestown's Parks and Recreation Commission.

According to the Charlestown Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes from Sept. 23, 2025, Karen Jedson, representing South County Tourism, appeared before the commission after being offered two Gillie and Marc sculptures as a traveling installation that could be placed somewhere in South County.

Jedson proposed Ninigret Park as the location.

The commission unanimously voted to accept the sculptures, according to the meeting minutes.

The artists, Gillie and Marc, are known internationally for public art featuring their signature Dogman and Rabbitwoman characters. Their work can be found in cities and public spaces around the world, often combining humor, storytelling and larger-than-life characters.

Paparazzi Dog and Paparazzi Rabbit fit right into that style.

Both sculptures appear to emerge from manholes with cameras in hand, ready to capture whoever happens to walk by. The pieces are playful, but they also reflect the artists' ongoing use of their Dogman and Rabbitwoman characters as recurring figures throughout their work.

Gillie and Marc's official public art map lists both sculptures in Charlestown, placing Ninigret Park among a collection of locations around the world that have hosted the artists' work.

For Charlestown, the installation represents another example of how public spaces can be used for more than their original purpose. Ninigret Park is already home to recreation fields, walking areas, community events and other attractions.

The addition of public art gives visitors something else to discover while exploring the park.

The bigger question is whether these sculptures are part of a broader direction for the park.

Charlestown has already seen the popularity of public art at Ninigret Park, and the arrival of Paparazzi Dog and Paparazzi Rabbit adds another layer to the visitor experience. As a traveling installation, the sculptures also raise questions about whether other temporary or permanent works of public art could eventually find their way to the park in the future.