Farewell to Pigcasso, the artist who really brought home the bacon: ‘Extraordinary’ pig whose lifetime of paintings raised $1 million after being rescued from slaughterhouse dies in South Africa

A pig whose lifetime paintings fetched $1 million after being rescued from the slaughterhouse 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.

Images show the animal beaming as she paints on a canvas at her home and even at the beach.

During her lifetime, Pigcasso sold her artwork worldwide to celebrities such as Ed Westwick, Rafael Nadal and animal expert Dr. Jane Goodall.

Lefson rescued her from a factory farm in South Africa in May 2016, just weeks before she was to be sent to the slaughterhouse.

Pigcasso was transferred to Farm Sanctuary SA, a non-profit foundation that provides a safe shelter environment for rescued farm animals in Franschhoek.

Lefson said: ‘There is great sadness 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.

Joanne Lefson, 52, with a smiling Pigcasso. Lefson said: “There is great sadness 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 paints beautiful landscapes in South Africa. She was taken to Farm Sanctuary SA, a non-profit foundation that provides a safe shelter environment for rescued farm animals in Franschhoek

‘Pigcasso would have become a piece of cake within six months. Instead, she was saved and rose to inspire millions of people to rethink 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 complaints of arthritis in recent years, her physical condition deteriorated rapidly in September 2023.

‘By early October, both her hind legs had become lame due to the calcification of her lower back, aggravated by the arthritis; Both incurable conditions directly related to the manipulations and modifications to which farm animals are subjected in today’s industrialized factory farms.’

Pigcasso’s popularity grew and in 2018 she became the first animal artist to organize a solo art exhibition at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa.

Since then she has organized exhibitions around the world, including in the Netherlands, Germany, France, China and the United Kingdom.

Pigcasso holds a brush in her mouth as she paints. Lefson said: ‘Pigcasso would have become a piece of cake within six months. Instead, she was saved and rose to inspire millions of people to rethink what they eat, thanks to her extraordinary talent.”

Joanne Lefson and Pigcasso. Lefson said, “From the moment the piglet arrived, she ate or destroyed everything except a paintbrush left in her stall.”

Pigcasso painting. Lefson added, “I was intrigued by her interest in the brush and decided to see if she might want to paint. I adjusted the brush to fit her mouth and before long ‘Pigcasso’ was creating art on a canvas I placed in her stall’

Pigcasso at work next to the beach. Her popularity grew and in 2018 she became the first animal artist to organize a solo art exhibition at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa.

Pigcasso stands proudly next to one of the works of art. Lefson said: ‘Pigcasso has raised more than $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, she ate or destroyed everything except a paintbrush that was left in her stall.

‘I was intrigued by her interest in the brush and decided to see if she might like to paint. I adjusted the brush to fit her mouth and before long “Pigcasso” was creating art on a canvas I placed in her stall.”

She added: ‘In 2021, Pigcasso made international headlines when she sold ‘WILD AND FREE’ to a German buyer for £20,000, which was an official world record for the best-selling work of art ever painted by an animal.

“Pigcasso has raised more than $1 million from the sale of her artwork, making her the most successful non-human artist in world history.

‘Not only is this a testament to her extraordinary creativity and intelligence, but the proceeds will also benefit Farm Sanctuary SA, where she lived. The funds have also supported other charities that resonate with its mission.

‘Her last work of art was called ‘Standing Ovation’.’