Marcus Chen
Animal-made art has been a topic of fascination and intrigue for many. While some animals have taken to painting and drawing spontaneously, others have been taught by humans using positive reinforcement techniques. These non-human artists include Congo the chimpanzee, Pigcasso the pig, Baansky the ram, and Lolo the donkey. The question of whether animals derive creative satisfaction from painting remains unanswered, but it is clear that they are capable of producing works that are aesthetically appealing to humans. Some animal paintings have even sold for thousands of dollars, with the proceeds going towards conservation efforts or sanctuaries. The debate around animal-made art raises questions about the definition of art, creativity, and the copyright status of these works.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animals that paint | Chimpanzees, elephants, pigs, rams, monkeys, bowerbirds, donkeys, macaques, beavers, hummingbirds, weaver birds |
| Purpose of animal painting | Introducing novelty, exercising minds, enriching captive environments, preventing compulsive behaviours, aesthetic appeal, fundraising, entertainment |
| Human perception of animal art | Varied, some prefer human art, others find animal art satisfying, some animals' works are considered comparable to famous human artists |
| Training methods | Positive reinforcement, encouragement, teaching brush control, providing materials |
| Copyright status | Works lacking human authorship cannot be copyrighted by the animal, but can be copyrighted by their human trainer or owner |
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What You'll Learn
Animals painting as a form of enrichment
Painting is not a natural activity for non-human animals, but it is thought to introduce novelty into their lives. It is a form of enrichment that exercises their minds, preventing them from reverting to repetitive, compulsive behaviours.
Some animals enjoy painting and drawing and do it spontaneously with no reward. Creating art can be visually contagious among animals of different species, and their painting and drawing styles change with their moods.
Animal-made art consists of works by non-human animals that are considered artistic by humans, including visual works, music, photography, and videography. Some of these are created naturally, while others are created with human involvement. There have been debates about the copyright status of these works, with the United States Copyright Office stating in 2014 that works lacking human authorship cannot have their copyright registered.
Positive reinforcement is a technique used to encourage animals to paint. For example, Pigcasso, a South African pig, was taught to paint using positive reinforcement techniques. She developed her own style of painting, and her works have sold for thousands of dollars worldwide. Another example is Congo, a male chimpanzee born in 1954 at London Zoo. Congo was given a pencil by the British zoologist Desmond Morris and later graduated to paintbrushes. By the age of four, he had made 400 drawings and paintings, and his style has been described as "lyrical abstract impressionism".
While some studies suggest that painting does not improve the welfare of elephants, it provides aesthetic appeal to viewers, and the sale of these paintings can help fund conservation efforts.
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The question of what constitutes art
The concept of animal-made art has sparked intrigue and debate, with some animals demonstrating a propensity for creating visual art, music, photography, and videography. While it may not be a natural activity for non-human animals, it introduces novelty and provides mental stimulation in captive environments. This raises the question: What constitutes art, and what qualifies as creativity?
Art, as defined by Britannica, is "consciously created through an expression of skill or imagination," while Wikipedia takes a narrower view, limiting art solely to human endeavours. This exclusion of non-human creations is challenged by the existence of animal-made art, which blurs the boundaries of what we traditionally classify as art.
The creation of art by animals invites us to reconsider our definitions of art and creativity. Animal artworks, such as the intricate nests built by bowerbirds or the paintings crafted by chimpanzees and elephants, challenge our preconceived notions of what constitutes artistic expression. These creations possess aesthetic appeal and exhibit unique styles, prompting us to acknowledge the creative capabilities of non-human species.
The value and significance of animal-made art extend beyond its visual appeal. The process of creating art can be enriching for captive and rescued animals, providing them with mental stimulation and a form of expression. It offers a means to understand their thoughts, feelings, and senses, fostering a deeper connection between humans and animals.
Furthermore, animal-made art raises questions about authorship and copyright. The involvement of humans in encouraging and facilitating the artistic process complicates the attribution of ownership. The United States Copyright Office's stance, stating that works lacking human authorship cannot be registered, underscores the legal complexities surrounding this evolving form of artistic expression.
In conclusion, the existence of animal-made art challenges traditional definitions of art and creativity. As humans, we are prompted to recognize the creative capabilities of non-human species and reconsider our understanding of artistic expression. The value of animal-made art lies not only in its aesthetic appeal but also in its potential to enrich the lives of captive animals and deepen our connection to the natural world.
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Animals' natural creativity
Animals have been known to create art, whether through painting, drawing, sculpture, or photography. While putting paintbrush to canvas is not a natural activity for non-human animals, it is thought to introduce novelty into their lives, particularly those in captivity. Painting allows animals to exercise their minds and enrich their otherwise boring captive environments. This activity is believed to prevent animals from reverting to repetitive, compulsive behaviors.
Some animals, such as Pigcasso, a South African pig, and Congo, a chimpanzee at London Zoo, have gained recognition for their paintings. Pigcasso's owner, Joanne Lefson, taught her to paint using positive reinforcement techniques, and her works have sold for thousands of dollars. Similarly, British zoologist Desmond Morris introduced Congo to pencils and paper at a young age, and by age four, he had created 400 drawings and paintings. Congo's style has been described as "lyrical abstract impressionism," and his paintings have been positively received, with one even purchased by American collector Howard Hong for over $25,000.
Beyond painting, animals engage in other artistic endeavors. For example, bowerbirds create aesthetically pleasing structures through bower-building, a culturally transmitted creative process where each bird makes individual choices with intention and care. Additionally, beavers can be considered sculptors, as they fell trees and use branches, mud, and stones to create dams that serve both functional and aesthetic purposes.
While the benefits of painting for mental enrichment in captive animals are still debated, it is clear that some animals do engage in creative activities. Whether these creations are considered art may be subjective, but they undoubtedly showcase the natural creativity present in the animal kingdom.
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Humans' interest in animal art
Humans have long been fascinated by animal art, whether it be paintings, sculptures, or other forms of creative expression. This interest has sparked debates about the nature of art, creativity, and the role of animals in the artistic process. Some people view animal art as a form of enrichment for captive animals, while others question its aesthetic value and the extent to which it is driven by human influence.
Animal art has been a topic of curiosity and exploration for humans for centuries. One of the earliest known examples of animal-made art was discovered in a cave in Cantabria, Spain, by Spanish aristocrat Marcelino Sanz de Sautuloa and his daughter Maria in 1879. The cave paintings depicted aurochs, a long-extinct species of ox, and were created by the Magdalenian people thousands of years before the arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe. Even more remarkably, a Neanderthal carving on a deer bone in a German cave dates back 51,000 years, challenging the notion that art is unique to Homo sapiens.
In more recent times, humans have actively encouraged and collaborated with animals to create art. One notable example is the story of Congo, a chimpanzee born in 1954 at London Zoo. British zoologist and artist Desmond Morris gave the two-year-old chimp a pencil, and he began to draw. Congo eventually progressed to paintbrushes, and his works have since been auctioned and exhibited, fetching thousands of pounds. Another famous animal artist is Pigcasso, a pig who picked up a paintbrush and developed her own unique style. Pigcasso's works have been displayed in exhibitions, with one piece selling for US$27,000 in 2021, setting a record for the most expensive animal-made artwork.
Beyond primates, humans have also observed artistic endeavours in other species, particularly birds. Bowerbirds, for instance, are known for their intricate bower-building, carefully selecting and arranging sticks, moss, and colourful items to create aesthetically pleasing structures that serve as courtship displays. Male weaver birds construct intricately woven nests to attract potential mates, while hummingbirds incorporate contrasting colours and materials for camouflage. These avian creations blur the lines between art and functionality, as they serve both aesthetic and survival purposes.
The interest in animal art extends beyond appreciation for the final product. Humans are intrigued by the process, the motivation behind it, and the potential benefits for the animals themselves. Some researchers suggest that art can enrich the lives of captive animals, providing mental stimulation and preventing repetitive behaviours. However, a study on zoo elephants found that painting did not significantly improve their welfare. Nonetheless, the act of creating art can be inherently rewarding for some animals, and it offers a glimpse into their unique perspectives and senses of creativity.
The question of what constitutes art and creativity is a complex one that has puzzled human cultures for generations. While some may never fully appreciate animal art, others find value in the expressions of our non-human counterparts. The debate surrounding animal-made art also raises legal and ethical considerations, such as copyright ownership and the recognition of animals as legal persons. As humans continue to explore the boundaries of art, they remain captivated by the diverse and fascinating ways in which animals contribute to the world of creativity.
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Animals' use of tools
Painting is not a natural activity for non-human animals, but it is believed to introduce novelty into their lives. Animals such as elephants, chimpanzees, pigs, and sheep have been known to indulge in this activity. While some animals paint spontaneously, others need to be taught to hold a paintbrush and move it across a canvas. The art created by these animals is often aesthetically pleasing and comparable to human artwork.
Animals have been known to use tools to achieve goals such as acquiring food and water, grooming, combat, defence, communication, recreation, and construction. This phenomenon was once believed to be a skill unique to humans, but research has proven otherwise. The definition of a tool and what constitutes tool use is still widely discussed and debated. Some researchers define tool use as the "external employment of an unattached or manipulable attached environmental object to alter more efficiently the form, position, or condition of another object, another organism, or the user itself".
Primates, including chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, are well-known for their tool-using abilities. Chimpanzees, for example, strip leaves off twigs and use them to fish for termites. They also use tools for hunting other primates and have developed specialised tool kits for foraging army ants. Gorillas use branches as walking sticks to test water depth and as makeshift bridges to cross swamps. Orangutans use bundles of leaves as improvised whistles to ward off predators.
Elephants are known to create tools with their trunks and feet for various purposes, including swatting flies, scratching, and reaching food that is out of reach. They also plug up waterholes they have dug to prevent water evaporation. Dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia, carry marine sponges in their beaks to stir up sand and uncover prey. They spend more time hunting with tools than any animal other than humans.
Crows and their relatives have also proven to be adept at crafting tools. They use twigs, leaves, and even their feathers to create tools. For example, they may use stones to raise the water level in a pitcher, as seen in Aesop's fable. New Caledonian crows are among the few animals that create their own tools. They use a short tool to obtain a longer tool, which they then use to extract food from a hole.
Other examples of animal tool use include sea otters using rocks to dislodge and break open shellfish, humpback whales using 'bubble nets' to hunt prey, and octopuses using coconut shells as portable armour.
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Frequently asked questions
It is thought that painting helps introduce novelty into the lives of animals, allowing them to exercise their minds and enrich their otherwise boring captive environments.
One example is Pigcasso, a South African pig who gained international notoriety for her abstract expressionist paintings. Another example is Baansky, a ram who learned to paint by watching Pigcasso.
Animals can be taught to paint using positive reinforcement techniques. For example, when an animal picks up a brush, it is rewarded, and this behaviour is encouraged. Over time, some animals may develop their own unique styles and techniques.
There could be several reasons why animals paint. Some animals may enjoy the process and find it enriching, while others may do it for the reward. It is also possible that animals may use painting as a form of communication or expression.
The quality of animal art is subjective and depends on individual perspectives. Some people may appreciate the uniqueness and creativity of animal art, while others may prefer human paintings.
