Pigcasso the Pig Reveals Artistic Talent After Rescue from Slaughterhouse, Becomes First Animal to Hold Solo Exhibition.
Pigcasso is a pig that was rescued from a pig farm and slaughterhouse in South Africa at just 4 weeks old. Since then, it has become a famous “pig artist” with abstract works selling for nearly $4,200, according to Story Trender. Pigcasso’s talent has attracted significant attention, especially after becoming the first animal to hold a solo exhibition.
Smart, curious, and eager-to-learn Pigcasso.
The exhibition, titled OINK, was held in Cape Town. All the colorful paintings displayed in the exhibition were created by Pigcasso, and the proceeds from the event will be donated to Farm Sanctuary SA, a sanctuary for rescued farm animals. Pigcasso’s paintings will continue to be exhibited in London, Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam.
“Pigcasso is not that different from other pigs. It is smart, curious, and eager to learn,” said Joanne Lefson, the individual who rescued Pigcasso and helped develop its painting skills. “The only significant difference is its amazing painting talent. I am incredibly moved and proud of Pigcasso.”
“People are always incredulous when they see Pigcasso’s artwork at Farm Sanctuary SA. They don’t believe it can paint so beautifully,” she added.
Pigcasso showcases its abstract painting skills. (Video: Caters).
In a new book, South African animal rights activist Joanne Lefson states that each painting created by Pigcasso, the pig she cares for at her sanctuary, can sell for up to $26,000. The total amount raised from Pigcasso’s artwork sales has now exceeded $1 million, according to Business Insider.
Pigcasso was rescued by Lefson from a slaughterhouse when it was young in 2016 and currently lives in a sanctuary owned by the activist. She mentioned that the proceeds from Pigcasso’s paintings are used to buy food, pay staff salaries, cover veterinary bills, and other expenses at the facility.
Pigcasso painting.
In her book, the activist writes that she attached a used toilet paper roll core to a paintbrush handle and handed it to Pigcasso. Lefson explained that she taught Pigcasso to paint by “crawling around the pen on hands and knees with a brush in its mouth,” and encouraged the animal by rewarding it with grapes.
“The most fascinating moments are when it creates incredible shapes on its own – a heart, an uppercase letter, a number – and I would stop it, wondering what it needed more,” the activist wrote.
