Painting Pig: Pigcasso, an animal with a flair for the artistic
Updated 17:10, 16-Mar-2019
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South Africa's famed PIGCASSO has become an art sensation, painting pieces that sell for thousands of dollars. The rescued pig's works have also been displayed around the world and now are on the faces of watches made by Switzerland's Swatch. Take a look.
Though pigs may never fly, a two-year-old hog in Franschhoek, South Africa is proving they sure can paint! Pigcasso was rescued from an abattoir as a piglet and brought to the animal sanctuary in 2016. Her new owner soon noticed her love of colour and paint brushes.
JOANNE LEFSON FOUNDER, FARM SANCTUARY SA "She basically ate or destroyed everything except these paint brushes. To be honest it wasn't long before she was picking them up, going towards a canvas and creating these amazing masterpieces that are now sold all over the world."
Pigcasso's paintings can sell for almost 4,000 US dollars with the proceeds going to animal welfare. She has even had one of her artworks turned into a watch face for Swiss watchmaker Swatch. The limited edition 'Flying Pig by Ms. Pigcasso' features green blue and pink brush strokes and sells for 120 US dollars.
SIBU MABENA MARKETING CONSULTANT "The fact that an animal that we see as a means to an end - a pig, bacon, sausages, all of that, has now become this phenomenon in a whole different space is really cool because that means there is an appetite for that kind of thing. There is a desire to see different things and people are taking an interest in all of this, so it's working."
Pigcasso's art was taken on tour last year in the "Oink" exhibition. Her pieces were shown in South Africa, the UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
JOANNE LEFSON FOUNDER, FARM SANCTUARY SA "Pigcasso is definitely an abstract expressionist. You can't exactly define what she's painting, but I can tell you that her style slightly changes depending on her mood like any great artist."
Except for the occasional burst of creativity, Pigcasso spends most of her days eating, strolling, and sleeping. But the pig has surely earned the right to rest.