A pig whose life of paintings sold for a million dollars after being saved from slaughter has died in South Africa.
Owner Joanne Lefson, 52, announced the death of her beloved eight-year-old Pigcasso, who suffered from chronic rheumatoid arthritis.
The images show the animal smiling while painting on a canvas at the sanctuary and even on the beach.
During her lifetime, Pigcasso sold her artworks around the world to celebrities such as Ed Westwick and Rafael Nadal and animal expert Dr. Jane Goodall.
Lefson rescued her in May 2016 from a factory farm in South Africa, just weeks before she was sent to slaughter.
Pigcasso was taken to Farm Sanctuary SA, a non-profit foundation that provides a safe sanctuary for rescued farm animals in Franschhoek.
Lefson said: “It is very sad that such an inspiring figure for animal welfare has passed away, but we also celebrate a life well lived and the profound difference he made.”
Pigcasso with a red nose after a painting session. Lefson rescued Pigcasso in May 2016 from a factory farm in South Africa, just weeks before she was sent to slaughter.
Joanne Lefson, 52, with a smiling Pigcasso. Lefson said: “It is very sad that such an inspiring figure for animal welfare has passed away, but we also celebrate a life well lived and the profound difference she made.”
Pigcasso painting beautiful landscapes in South Africa. Pigcasso was taken to Farm Sanctuary SA, a non-profit foundation that provides a safe sanctuary for rescued farm animals in Franschhoek.
Pigcasso holding a brush in his mouth while painting. Lefson said: ‘Pigcasso would have turned into a piece of bacon at 6 months old. Instead, she was saved and resurrected to inspire millions of people to reconsider what they eat thanks to her extraordinary talent.
‘The pig would have turned into a piece of bacon by 6 months of age. Instead, she was saved and resurrected to inspire millions of people to reconsider what they eat thanks to her extraordinary talent. Her legacy continues through the sanctuary and our mission to inspire a kinder, more sustainable world for all.
‘Although Pigcasso had already shown symptoms of arthritis in recent years, his physical condition deteriorated rapidly in September 2023.
‘By early October, both of his hind legs had become lame due to calcification of the lower part of his spine aggravated by arthritis; both incurable conditions directly related to the manipulations and modifications that farm animals are subjected to on today’s industrialized factory farms.
Pigcasso’s popularity grew and in 2018 she became the first animal artist to host a solo art exhibition held at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa.
Since then he has presented exhibitions around the world, including the Netherlands, Germany, France, China and the United Kingdom.
Joanne Lefson and Pigcasso. Lefson said: “From the moment the piglet arrived, it ate or destroyed everything except a paintbrush that had been left in its stall.”
Pig painting. Lefson added: “I was intrigued by his interest in the brush and decided to see if he wanted to paint. I modified the brush to fit his mouth and it wasn’t long before ‘Pigcasso’ was creating art on a canvas he had placed in his stall.
Pigcasso painting on a beach. Pigcasso’s popularity grew and in 2018 she became the first animal artist to host a solo art exhibition held at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa.
Pigcasso proud with her work of art. Lefson said: “Pigcasso raised over $1 million from the sale of her artwork, making her the most successful non-human artist in world history.”
Lefson said: ‘From the moment the piglet arrived, it ate or destroyed everything except a paintbrush he had left in his stable.
‘I was intrigued by his interest in the brush and decided to see if he wanted to paint. I modified the brush to fit his mouth and it wasn’t long before “Pigcasso” was creating art on a canvas he had placed in his stall.’
He added: “In 2021, Pigcasso made international headlines when it sold ‘WILD AND FREE’ to a German buyer for £20,000, marking an official world record for the best-selling work of art ever painted by an animal.
‘Pigcasso raised over $1 million from the sale of her artwork, making her the most successful non-human artist in world history.
‘This is not only a testament to his extraordinary creativity and intelligence, but the proceeds raised also benefit and sustain Farm Sanctuary SA, where he lived. The funds have also supported other charities that resonate with her mission.
‘His last work of art was called “Standing Ovation.”‘