Meet Pigcasso – the painting pig who was saved from slaughter
The world of painting collectors is a vibrant and diverse community, each individual driven by a unique blend of passion, curiosity, and an appreciation for the aesthetic and historical significance of art. Whether drawn to the delicate brushstrokes of Impressionism, the bold expressions of Abstract art, or the intricate details of Renaissance masterpieces, collectors are united by their love for capturing moments of human creativity. This article delves into the fascinating realm of painting collection, exploring the motivations, challenges, and rewards of curating a personal gallery. From seasoned connoisseurs to budding enthusiasts, acquiring and cherishing artwork offers a deeply fulfilling and intellectually enriching experience.
This is Pigcasso. After being saved from the slaughterhouse, she enjoys her best life with Cape Coast’s friends.
She has developed into an artist. Pigcasso, a 450-pound pig, spends most of her time at her easel in the fields of Cape Coast and is reportedly never seen without a paintbrush in her mouth. At four weeks old, Joanne Lefson, her current owner, saved her from the filthy conditions she was kept in. She had been bred to be killed at a pig farm.
‘Pigs on today’s industrialised factory farms are kept in merciless conditions deliberately hidden from public view,’ says Joanne.
‘If consumers could see inside, they would think twice about bringing home the bacon.
‘Breeding sows are confined in narrow cages for life, while their offspring are raised for pork and kept in filthy, overcrowded conditions…with no straw, no access to the outdoors and no quality of life.’
She states that in an effort to assist, she visited the factory farm and inquired about purchasing a piglet.
‘I’d have brought them all home if I could,’ she says.
Pigcasso was rescued in May this year – having been due for slaughter in September.
Interestingly, Joanne claims that before the sow ever picked up a paintbrush, she tried to amuse Pigcasso with a variety of pastimes. At first, the sow shown an interest in football.
Using clicker training, a method typically employed to teach dogs new skills, and an abundance of pig treats, Joanne taught Pigcasso how to paint.
She can now apply paint to a canvas, dip her brush into the paint, and paint with long strokes.
‘Picasso loves to waddle off to explore the scenic Cape Town landscape with her easel,’ Joanne claims.
‘I do not force her to paint – she paints when she wants to. After all, at 450 pounds, she’s definitely the boss.
‘Often we to pack an overloaded picnic basket and she pigs out on organic strawberries, guavas and caramel-coated popcorn in between brushstrokes. For Pigcasso, it’s simply “hog heaven”.’
Joanne describes Picgasso’s work as “what you’d call expressionist,” noting that the scenery of Cape Town serves as her source of inspiration.
What is her favorite topic?
Table Mountain.
She even uses her snout to print a “signature” on the paper after dipping it into paint for her pieces.
In order to earn funds for her charity, Farm Sanctuary SA, which raises awareness of the suffering of farm animals and works to promote reform and better living conditions for them, Joanne now intends to sell Picasso’s paintings.
She even has plans to open a Picasso show in the first part of 2017.
‘Pigs are amazingly intelligent, exceptional animals and we want to inspire consumers to make kinder, more compassionate choices,’ Joanne says.
‘When you buy one of Picasso’s paintings, you’re not only supporting Farm Sanctuary SA’s mission of inspiring compassion for farm animals, you’re also investing in a potential masterpiece.’
Source: https://metro.co.uk/
