Hoxful Monsters

Heard about the exhibition of paintings by Apes? I thought it could be some brush strokes here and there on canvas but i was shocked to see the skill of these great Apes,which are on display in Iowa.In fact Apes are pretty good at this art and might compete well with humans.If you don’t believe me ,then check out the exhibition at Des Moines, Iowa for yourself.Some magnificent work created by Great Ape Trust of Iowa’s resident orangutans and bonobos was a complete sell out

Critically endangered peace loving bonobos
Originally uploaded by kjdrill

at a Des Moines coffeehouse , raising nearly $10,000 for great ape conservation efforts in the countries where the endangered species remain in the wild.These Apes also give a title to their painting ,giving researchers more insight into their intelligence.

Art created by Apes is not something new ,way back in 1950’s a chimpanzee named Congo produced about 400 drawings and paintings over a three-year period beginning in 1956.

The money raised by this exhibit will help Great Ape trust is protecting four great Apes,which are on the brink of extinction. The numbers from last estimate for bonobos, chimpanzees and gorillas in Africa, and orangutans in Asia are not encouraging and hence these fabulous work by Apes might go a long way in saving their species from extinction.

Orangutang
Originally uploaded by edebell

These great paintings are still on display at Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure, 2723 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, till 25 November.Since the opening of gallery in 1993 Zanzibar has displayed work of many local artists ,but according to owner Julie McGuire ,The work by orangutans Azy, Knobi and Allie and bonobos Kanzi, Panbanisha and Nathan has been a sensation with her regular customers and some new ones drawn to Zanzibar’s by the unique art exhibit.

“We’ve had a couple of exhibits that have virtually sold out,, “but nothing at this speed. It’s very rare for a show to sell out completely.”-” McGuire

Links to great Ape trust:

Slideshow & Stories Behind the Ape Art Pieces

Great Ape Trust