Animals Set to Auction Their Art

A painting by a sea lion at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans will go on auction during the Sept. 16 "Art by Animals" event conducted by the Auction Network.

(Image credit: Audubon Zoo)

Artwork made by kangaroos, rhinos, ocelots and giraffes living in the nation's zoos and aquariums will be auctioned live online next week.

These pieces will be joined by paintings by red pandas, frogs, Komodo dragons, elephants and other animals living in facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums during the Sept. 16 "Art by Animals" event conducted by the Auction Network.

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Animal art is not entirely new. In 1998, two Russian artists started a painting school for elephants at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang, Thailand. It takes about a day to discover if an elephant has an aptitude for painting, according to the Elephant Art Gallery, a Web site dedicated to promoting elephant art. After that, elephants are trained for about a week to see if they have the skill and talent to make sellable paintings.

Man's best friend also has been known to have an artistic streak. Tillie (short for Tillamook Cheddar), a Jack Russell terrier that lives in Brooklyn, has been described as an abstract impressionist and one of the most successful animal artists in the world. Her work has shown in 17 solo exhibits, including some in Europe, and collectors have paid hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars for one of her pieces.

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