Pigcasso

Pigcasso

Pigcasso and Joanne Lefson represent the first human - non-human art collaboration of it's kind.

Pigcasso was rescued just before slaughter in 2016 by Joanne Lefson and taken to Farm Sanctuary SA in Franschhoek, South Africa. When Joanne noticed that Pigcasso ate or destroyed everything except some old paint brushes that were laying in her stall, she decided to nurture the pig’s potential talent. It didn’t take long before Pigcasso began to paint – and over time, the painting process developed into an extraordinary collaboration between human and pig. Lefson selects the colours while Pigcasso takes the brush into her mouth and creates her magic across the canvas. Lefson watches from afar, able to stop Pigcasso if she observes an interesting form developing that is relatable to the human eye. Every original is signed by Pigcasso’s nose-tip, countersigned by Lefson and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. Proceeds from the sale of every artwork benefit the registered nonprofit Farm Sanctuary SA that Lefson established in 2016.
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Their unrivalled story has been prominently featured on all leading media networks including BBC, CNN, SKY News, GMA, ABC, Der Spiegel and ZDF and their artworks are collected by an impressive global audience including Jane Goodall. Pigcasso also designed the 2019 SWATCH watch and a wine label from the grapes that have survived her robust appetite at the sanctuary was released in 2020. A gallery showcasing the artworks of Pigcasso and Lefson opened in Amsterdam in September 2021 while the OINK! Exhibition is planned to be showcased in London, 2022.

Through their extraordinary collaboration, the creatives aim to challenge the status quo; igniting debate on the definition of art, while highlighting the detrimental effects of animal agriculture on the welfare of farmed animals and the environment in order to inspire a kinder, more sustainable world.