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Chimp Art
1 October to 26 November 2004
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THE
FAUNA FOUNDATION The Sanctuary |
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In 1997 the Fauna Foundation was set up in Canada by Dr Richard
Allan and Gloria Grow.
Originally intended as a sanctuary for a couple of sheep, a goat and
a few chickens, the 200 acre farm began to grow when they took in an
ex-carriage horse, destined for the meat packing plant. Today they
have over 200 animals, including 14 chimpanzees that have been
rescued from laboratories and zoos.
Many of the chimps who come to the sanctuary have been traumatised
by their past. The Fauna Foundation uses painting therapy to help
them express their feelings and begin the healing process.
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Tom |
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Tom spent the first 30 years of his life in a laboratory as chimp
Ch-411. There he suffered with horrible parasites and often had
diarrhoea and couldn’t eat. Like other chimps in the laboratory he
used to bang his cage to show that he was in pain and frightened.
Tom never knew his family. He was taken straight to the laboratory
as a baby. Growing up outside the family unit, so important to a
chimp’s development, means that Tom often finds it difficult to
understand what is going on, or how to make friends.
Tom’s paintings are highly valued and have sold for up to £250 each.
He particularly likes working in colour.
After a typical painting session, there is nothing he likes more
than to sit down with a nice cup of tea!
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Toby |
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Toby used to live in a zoo, in Canada. He was bought to be a
friend to Benji, whose mum Samba was having difficulty bonding with
her only child. The arrival of Toby made a huge difference and
quickly they were living as a small, close-knit family.
Sadly things changed and the zoo needed to find a new home for the
chimps. Initially The Fauna Foundation tried unsuccessfully to adopt
them. However, after the death of Samba and Benji, Toby was allowed
to go to the sanctuary alone.
He misses his family very much, but has settled into the sanctuary
well. He loves painting as well as tucking into a big bag of crisps
and a mug of fizzy pop!
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Billy Jo |
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Billy Jo used to be a performing chimp in America. Whilst he was
working in the circus his teeth were knocked out with a crowbar.
When his owner could no longer afford to keep him, Billy was sent to
a laboratory.
In the laboratory he would shake his cage to stop people coming near
him and even today he cannot bear strangers grouped in front of him.
The trauma of the laboratory scared him so much one day that he
chewed off his thumb. Fortunately it hasn’t stopped him from
becoming a great artist!
When he’s not painting he loves to play games like “chase”, “tickle”
and “peek-a-boo”, with his friends.
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Back to Bristol Festival of Nature
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