Casso the pig, who created expressionist paintings and was “the world's most successful animal artist,” has died at the age of 7, according to the pig's Instagram page. She would have turned 8 in April.
“From the slaughterhouse to the world's greatest animal artist in history, your life was truly extraordinary,” Joanne Refson wrote on Pig's Instagram. “Your life has made a difference in the world.”
She described Picasso as “an intelligent, kind, creative and extraordinary person” and said she felt “very lucky to have worked with” the pig.
According to her legacy page, Pigcasso's work has raised millions of rands in South African currency. Proceeds from her art supported and funded her sanctuary, the farm where she lived in Franschhoek, a town one hour east of Cape Town near South Africa's southwest. Did. She also supported other charities that resonated with her mission.
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How did Picasso die?
According to a statement on Pigcasso's website, the artist's health rapidly deteriorated in September 2023.
In early October, he lost the use of both legs. This was caused by calcification in the lower spine, which was exacerbated by rheumatoid arthritis.
The website states that her symptoms are “directly related to the manipulation and modification that livestock undergo in today's industrialized factory farms.”
'Everything was good', says Jane Goodall in tribute
The website states that famous conservationist Jane Goodall was a big fan of Picasso.
After hearing about the artist's condition, Goodall flew to the sanctuary to visit her. Unfortunately, she arrived a day too late and Picasso died before the two had a chance to meet.
The next day, Goodall paid tribute to the pigs at a celebration hosted by the sanctuary. R300,000, or $16,062, was raised for the activist's youth action program, Youth and Shoots.
According to an Instagram post, Goodall was presented with Pigcasso's “GOODALL'S SWINGING CHIMP,” which featured a picture of a G with a monkey swinging at the bottom of the letter.
The pig's Instagram post said: “Specially painted to honor Dr. Goodall's visit and thank him for all he does for animals.”
Rescue of Picasso
Refson rescued her as a piglet from a South African factory farm in May 2016, just weeks before she was sent to slaughter, and brought her to Farm Sanctuary SA.
This nonprofit foundation provides a safe place for rescued farm animals.
The beginning of her artistic career
“From the moment the piglets arrived, they ate and destroyed everything except for a paintbrush that was left in the pen,” her website states. “Mr. Refson was intrigued by the pig's interest in paintbrushes and decided to see if the pig wanted to paint.”
According to the website, Refson began painting on a canvas left in the horse's stable after a pig handler modified a brush to fit in the pig's mouth.
Almost two years later, Pigcasso had a solo exhibition at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, making her the first animal artist to have a solo art exhibition.
Picasso's achievements
According to Pig's Legacy page, some of her accomplishments include:
- Picasso He has painted for Prince Harry, the Queen, Donald Trump and more.
- She designed the 2019 SWATCH watch. It sold out worldwide within hours.
- In 2021, she sold “WILD AND FREE'' to a German buyer for 20,000 pounds (approximately $25,716), breaking the world record for the most sold animal artwork.
The pigs also have their own pig wine, which can be purchased at the reserve. Her paintings are also available for purchase on her Shopify.
Her brand's motto, “Less Meat, More Art,” lives on through her website and Instagram.
Julia is a trend reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered a variety of topics from local businesses and government to technology and pop culture in her hometown of Miami. you can follow her X, formerly known as TwitterInstagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz.