Pigcasso Explained

Pigcasso
Species:Pig
Sex:Female
Birth Place:Cape Winelands District Municipality, South Africa
Death Place:Franschhoek, South Africa
Occupation:Animal artist (painter)
Years Active:2016–2024
Owner:Joanne Lefson
Weight:700kg (1,500lb)
Namedafter:Picasso

Pigcasso (April 2016 – March 2024) was a 700kg (1,500lb) pig from South Africa whose paintings have sold for millions of rand all over the world. Pigcasso is best known for being the first non-human artist to be given her own art exhibition, and for holding the record for most expensive artwork by an animal ever sold. She is also famous for the watchmaker Swatch using one of her paintings in its 2019 limited-edition Flying Pig timepiece.[1] More broadly, she was known for inspiring conversations around veganism, vegetarianism, and factory farming.

Life

Early life

Pigcasso was a female pig (Sus domesticus) born in April 2016[2] on an industrialised pig farm in the Winelands region of the Western Cape, South Africa. Along with her sister Rosie, she was rescued from a slaughterhouse, in May, by Joanne Lefson and taken to Farm Sanctuary SA in Franschhoek, the nonprofit animal sanctuary that Lefson founded that year.[3] Lefson is a former professional golfer who briefly dated John Denver[4] [5] and travelled the world with Oscar, a dog she adopted and married, but later accidentally ran over, which it did not survive.

Art career

When Lefson noticed that the pig ate and destroyed everything in her stall besides some paint brushes, she employed clicker training and positive reinforcement techniques to teach the pig to hold the brush in her mouth and apply paint to paper mounted on an easel placed before her. By dipping the brush in different colors, the pig began to create colorful abstract paintings in October 2016, which Lefson then sold to raise funds for the sanctuary.[6] Each of Pigcasso's works was signed by dipping her nose-tip into beetroot ink and touching it onto the canvas.[7] Pigcasso and Lefson were the first non-human/human collaboration to have held an art exhibition together, OINK, which took place at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town in 2018.[8] [9] Subsequently, Pigcasso's works were displayed in art exhibitions in the Netherlands (2021); Germany (2022);[10] the UK (2023);[11] and China (2023/24).[12] [13] Pigcasso's artworks have been described as Abstract expressionism[14] and have sold for millions of rand[15] to collectors around the world. Three of her most famous pieces are Penguin, Snowman, and Mouse, each of which sold for $5,000 in 2021. A painting of Prince Harry that was sold to a Spanish buyer for £2,350 in 2021 also received global notoriety, because of its subject.[16] Works by Pigcasso have been held by Jane Goodall, Rafael Nadal, Ed Westwick,[17] and George Clooney. On 13 December 2021, a work by Pigcasso sold for £20,000,[18] [19] [20] a record price for an artwork created by an animal.[21] [20] [22] The NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet) canvas, titled Wild and Free, was purchased by German art collector Peter Esser, eclipsing the £14,000 American collector Howard Hong paid for a painting by Congo the chimpanzee.[23] [24] By the time of her death, Lefson had sold over $1 million worth of Pigcasso's paintings, with proceeds going towards the upkeep of the sanctuary where she lived.[2] [25]

The relationship between Pigcasso and Lefson has been noted for igniting debate around the definition of art and animal creativity, while also drawing attention to the living conditions of farm animals around the world.[26] [27] [28] Lefson stated that her aim is to educate the public about the devastating effects of animal husbandry on the welfare of animals and the environment in order to inspire a kinder, more sustainable world.[29]

Media

The watchmaker Swatch commissioned an artwork of Pigcasso's for a 2019 watch called Flying Pig.[30] [31] [32] [33] She was also featured in the 60th anniversary advertisement of the Nissan Skyline (2017),[34] [35] and in 2020, a "Pigcasso" range of wine, produced from the grapes that grow at the farm sanctuary where she lived, was launched.[36] [37] [38]

Over the course of her life, Pigcasso was featured on various global media channels. Her exploits were covered on Saturday Night Live,[39] ABC,[40] NBC,[41] CBS,[33] CNN,[42] National Geographic,[43] Sky News,[22] and the BBC.[44] Pigcasso also appeared live on The Jeremy Vine Show in 2020 and in publications such as The Times newspaper[45] and Der Spiegel.[46] In August 2023, a book about Pigcasso’s life was released in London, titled Pigcasso. The Pig That Saved a Sanctuary, which includes a foreword by Jane Goodall.[47]

Illness and death

Pigcasso had chronic rheumatoid arthritis, which calcified her spine. Her condition deteriorated rapidly in September 2023 and by October her hind legs were nearly non-functional. On 6 March 2024, Lefson announced that Pigcasso had died.[48] [2] Among Pigcasso's many admirers, Dr Jane Goodall was present to pay her respects the day after she died.[49] [50] Goodall flew out to the sanctuary after hearing about the pig's condition, but arrived one day too late, with Pigcasso passing away before the two had a chance to formally meet. The next day, Goodall shared a tribute for the pig at a gala hosted by the sanctuary, raising R300,000 (or USD16,062) for her non-profit organisation.[2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Justin . Hast. A Pig Designed This Swatch Watch. 2021-08-09. Bloomberg.com. 20 February 2019. 2021-11-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20211116071923/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-20/pigcasso-the-pig-designed-this-collectible-swatch-watch. live.
  2. News: Gomez . Julia . World-renowned painting pig Pigcasso dies: What to know about the swine's incredible life . USA Today . 9 March 2024.
  3. News: Step aside Pablo: Meet Pigcasso, South Africa's painting pig . ECR . 12 November 2019 . 7 March 2024 . 12 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191112104657/https://www.ecr.co.za/shows/thandolwethu-/step-aside-pablo-meet-pigcasso-south-africas-painting-pig-/ . live .
  4. News: Ahound the World: My Travels with Oscar . 978-1-77022-108-6 . 2024-01-29 . Lefson . Joanne . 8 December 2010 . Penguin Random House South Africa . 2024-03-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240307132234/https://books.google.com/books?id=pwtbDwAAQBAJ&dq=lefson+dated+John+Denver&pg=PT46#v=onepage&q=lefson%20dated%20John%20Denver&f=false . live .
  5. News: Pigcasso: The painting pig that saved a sanctuary . 978-1-78840-419-8 . 2024-01-30 . Lefson . Joanne . 3 August 2023 . Octopus . 2024-03-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240307132244/https://books.google.com/books?id=XqmyEAAAQBAJ&dq=pigcasso+john+denver&pg=PT25 . live .
  6. News: Pigcasso: The pig creating art that sells for thousands . ITV . 29 March 2017 . 2024-03-07 . 2020-09-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200925025416/https://www.itv.com/news/2017-03-29/the-artist-pig-who-creates-art-that-sells-for-thousands . live .
  7. News: Meet Pigcasso, the painting pig . The Big Issue South Africa . 18 September 2018 . 7 March 2024 . 7 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240307132248/https://www.bigissue.org.za/meet-pigcasso-the-painting-pig/ . live .
  8. Web site: Soyiso . Maliti . WATCH: Pigcasso launches art exhibition – and it's anything but hogwash!. 20 January 2018. IOL. en. 2018-01-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20180120091557/https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/watch-pigcasso-launches-art-exhibition-and-its-anything-but-hogwash-12811541. dead.
  9. Web site: Meet Pigcasso, The World's First Pig Artist. 2021-08-09. DOGOnews. en. 2021-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809090719/https://www.dogonews.com/2018/2/5/meet-pigcasso-the-worlds-first-pig-artist. live.
  10. News: dpa . 2022-07-01 . Kunst: Bilder von malendem Schwein "Pigcasso" in Hann. Münden . 2024-03-08 . Die Zeit . de-DE . 0044-2070.
  11. News: 2023-12-04 . Waterloo exhibition showcases street art and pig paintings . 2024-03-08 . en-GB.
  12. Web site: WaqarOptimist . 2024-02-08 . Pigcasso's Palette: A Swirl of Colors in South African Art at Beijing Times Art Museum . 2024-03-08 . www.thebeijinger.com . EN.
  13. Web site: Brederode . William . LOOK SA's painting pig is exhibiting in China - the world's largest pork producer . 2024-03-08 . News24 .
  14. News: Govender . Suthentira . Painting piggy prodigy Pigcasso set to take on the world . . 22 January 2018 . en-ZA.
  15. Web site: Peter. Zamayirha. Pigcasso a millionaire. 2021-08-09. Citypress. en-US. 2023-02-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20230203202648/https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/pigcasso-a-millionaire-20190110. live.
  16. Web site: Suthentira . Govender . Princely sum: Pig's portrait of Harry fetches R50,000. 28 March 2021. TimesLIVE. en-ZA. 2021-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809090718/https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/2021-03-28-princely-sum-pigs-portrait-of-harry-fetches-r50000/. live.
  17. Web site: Govender . Suthentira . 2021-01-24 . Hollywood star is star-struck by a painting porker, Pigcasso . 2024-03-08 . TimesLIVE .
  18. Web site: Artmajeur. Pigcasso, the painter pig has just sold a work for 20,000 pounds sterling! Artmajeur Magazine. 2021-12-28. www.artmajeur.com. en. 2021-12-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228114203/https://www.artmajeur.com/en/magazine/2-art-news/pigcasso-the-painter-pig-has-just-sold-a-work-for-20-000-pounds-sterling/330898. live.
  19. Web site: Pigcasso brings home the bacon after selling an abstract artwork for a record R400 000. 2021-12-28. www.iol.co.za. en. 2021-12-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228114201/https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/life/pigcasso-brings-home-the-bacon-after-selling-an-abstract-artwork-for-a-record-r400-000-b6679c1e-0fc9-4200-8a03-95e93aea5068. live.
  20. Web site: 2021-12-20. Move over, Banksy: SA's Pigcasso sells painting for more than R400k. 2021-12-28. The South African. en-ZA. 2021-12-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228114201/https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/art-artists/breaking-pigcasso-wild-and-free-record-animal-art/. live.
  21. News: Lindner . Roland . York . New . 2024-03-06 . Malendes Schwein Pigcasso gestorben . 2024-03-13 . FAZ.NET . de . 0174-4909.
  22. Web site: South Africa: 'Pigcasso' sells painting for £20,000. 2021-12-30. Sky News. en. 2021-12-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20211230054102/https://news.sky.com/video/south-africa-pigcasso-sells-painting-for-20-000-12499544. live.
  23. Web site: Sam. Jones. 21 June 2005. Chimp's art fetches £14,000. 2021-12-28. The Guardian. en. 2021-12-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228114206/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jun/21/arts.artsnews. live.
  24. News: No Chump Change for Chimp Art. en. NPR.org. 2021-12-28. 2021-12-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228114201/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4712948 . live.
  25. News: Lindner . Roland . York . New . 2024-03-06 . Malendes Schwein Pigcasso gestorben . 2024-03-13 . FAZ.NET . de . 0174-4909.
  26. Web site: Shen Wu . Tan. Pigcasso brings some truths home. 2021-08-09. IOL. 2 December 2016. en. 2021-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809090718/https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/pigcasso-brings-some-truths-home-2095358. live.
  27. Web site: Pigcasso: timeless work by a pampered porker. 2021-08-09. TimesLIVE. en-ZA. 2021-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809090720/https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/news/2018-09-01-pigcasso-timeless-work-by-a-pampered-porker/. live.
  28. Web site: 2018-03-02. Farm Sanctuary SA: A Safe Haven For Rescued Farm Animals. 2021-08-09. The Inside Guide Cape Town . 2021-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809090721/https://insideguide.co.za/cape-town/farm-sanctuary-sa/. live.
  29. Web site: Brand. Alexander. 2021-06-21. Going whole hog for animal activism: Joanne Lefson. 2021-08-09. MatieMedia . 2021-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809090721/https://www.matiemedia.org/going-whole-hog-for-animal-activism/. live . In May 2016, Jo rescued a pair of two-month-old piglets, Pigcasso and her sister Rosie, from a South African slaughterhouse..
  30. Web site: Swatch X Pigcasso – Swatch South Africa. 2021-08-09. 2020.swatch.com. en. 2021-04-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210414015447/https://2020.swatch.com/en_za/SwatchXPigcasso/. live.
  31. News: A Pig Designed This Swatch Watch. 2021-08-09. Bloomberg.com. 20 February 2019. 2021-11-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20211116071923/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-20/pigcasso-the-pig-designed-this-collectible-swatch-watch. live.
  32. Web site: WATCH: SA's Pigcasso becomes first African, and animal, to design a Swatch watch. 2021-08-09. www.iol.co.za. en. 2021-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809090721/https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/life/watch-sas-pigcasso-becomes-first-african-and-animal-to-design-a-swatch-watch-19140372. live.
  33. Web site: Meet Pigcasso — the pig who was saved from a slaughterhouse and became a world famous painter. 2021-08-09. CBS News. 27 February 2019 . en-US. 2021-04-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20210411135901/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pigcasso-swatch-saved-from-slaughter-house-now-world-famous-painter/. live.
  34. Web site: Rus. Tudor. Pigcasso paints race track, Nissan Skyline driver can't handle it. 10 August 2017. 2021-08-09. Drive Mag. 2021-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809090720/https://drivemag.com/news/pigcasso-paints-race-track-nissan-skyline-driver-can-t-handle-it. live.
  35. Web site: Nissan enlists Pigcasso the painting pig for Skyline campaign. 2021-08-09. The Drum. 10 August 2017. Danielle. Long. 2021-04-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20210411135906/https://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/08/10/nissan-enlists-pigcasso-the-painting-pig-skyline-campaign. live.
  36. Web site: Pigcasso Wine . 2024-03-13 . pigcasso.org.
  37. Web site: Pigcasso has designed her own wine. 2021-08-09. www.capetownetc.com. 2021-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809090719/https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/pigcasso-has-designed-her-own-wine/. live.
  38. Web site: Three grunts for Pigcasso's new plonk. 2021-08-09. TimesLIVE. en-ZA. 2021-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809090722/https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/food/2020-02-23-three-grunts-for-pigcassos-new-plonk/. live.
  39. Web site: SNL Jokes About Hypocrisy of Loving Animals and Eating Them. 2021-08-09. VegNews.com. en-US. 2021-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809090719/https://vegnews.com/2019/3/snl-jokes-about-hypocrisy-of-loving-animals-and-eating-them. live.
  40. Web site: Video: Did a pig or a person paint these?. 2021-08-09. ABC News . 2021-04-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20210411135901/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/GMA_Day/video/pig-person-paint-61535069. live.
  41. Web site: Pig Escapes Slaughterhouse Fate, Sells Original Paintings. 2021-08-09. NBC New York. en-US. 2021-06-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20210613163149/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/painting-pig-pigcasso-sanctuary-south-africa/2150940/. live.
  42. Web site: "Pigcasso", el cerdo artista que vende cuadros por miles de dólares Video. 2021-08-09. CNN. 23 March 2021 . es. 2021-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809090719/https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/video/pigcasso-chancho-pinta-cuadros-cnn-redaccion-buenos-aires/. live.
  43. Web site: Liz . Langley. Watch Pigcasso, the Famous Painting Pig, at Work. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305172631/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/animals-culture-pigs-art-painting. dead. March 5, 2021. 3 February 2018. National Geographic. en.
  44. News: Happy News: Stories to make you smile! – CBBC Newsround. en-GB. 2021-08-09. 2021-08-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20210810224746/https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/50434875. live.
  45. News: Laing. Aislinn. Pigcasso ... or a new Francis Bacon?. The Times. en. 2021-08-09. 0140-0460. 2021-10-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20211028123740/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/pigcasso-or-a-new-francis-bacon-9r9lq2ll5. live. subscription.
  46. News: Pigcasso: Schwein macht Kunst – saugut . Der Spiegel . 3 July 2022 . de . 7 March 2024 . 12 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220812214127/https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/pigcasso-schwein-macht-kunst-saugut-a-d6210817-e4a2-44f4-9dbe-af86b1349ec5 . live .
  47. News: Brown . Lauren . Cassell acquires 'heartwarming' book on painting pig Pigcasso . The Bookseller . 5 June 2023 . En . 7 March 2024 . 5 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230605122652/https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/cassell-acquires-heartwarming-book-on-painting-pig-pigcasso . live .
  48. News: Murió Pigcasso, la cerda pintora: por qué le decían "la artista no humana más exitosa de la historia" . Clarín . 6 March 2024 . es . Pigcasso, the painting pig, died: why they called her "the most successful non-human artist in history" . 7 March 2024 . 6 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240306220733/https://www.clarin.com/internacional/murio-pigcasso-cerda-pintora-decian-artista-humana-exitosa-historia_0_PZ8RP5POOc.html . live .
  49. News: 2024-03-08 . Malende Sau Pigcasso ist tot: Schweinedame starb im Alter von 8 Jahren . 2024-03-13 . Der Spiegel . de . 2195-1349.
  50. Web site: Kruger . Theo Jeptha en Jackie . KYK Jane Goodall besoek toevlugsoord in Franschhoek . 2024-03-08 . Netwerk24 . af-ZA.