Painting by Doc
The art world has mourned many great painters over the years. Some have lived to a ripe ole age, other have died young like this next painter, who didn’t even make it to his 30th. He wasn’t plagued by drink or drug problems. He was a much-loved individual who was described as having a “gentle gaze” which makes his death all the more sad for those who knew him.
Yesterday afternoon medical experts took the decision to euthanise him following a heart condition that saw no sign of improving. Doc died age 27.
Doc - Bornean orangutan
Doc, was a Bornean orangutan. He was born at the Dallas Zoo on Christmas Day in 1984 and moved to Houston Zoo when he was 3 years old.
During his time in captivity he produced two offspring, 8-year-old Solaris and a recent addition to his family, 5-month-old Aurora. But Doc was no ordinary ape, he loved to paint and his skills impressed the staff at the zoo, so much so his work even featured in an exhibition.
Doc and his son Solaris
Houston Zoo Assistant Curator of Primates Lynn Killam said: “He created beautiful paintings that were exhibited during “Pongos Helping Pongos” art exhibits that raised funds for orangutan conservation.
“Doc was quite contemplative when working on the canvas, using light small strokes with plant leaves that showed his intelligent and gentle nature.”
Another painting by Doc
Now you might think Doc’s artistic flare is unique. But there have been several captive apes who have also shown a love of painting. Koko, a female lowland gorilla born in 1971 at San Francisco Zoo is an avid painter.
Koko, the world's most famous gorilla, with Dr. Francis (Penny) Patterson, at the Gorilla Foundation
Her teacher, Dr Penny Patterson, began working with Koko as a Ph.D. project at Stanford, thinking it would only be a 4-year study. Thirty odd years later, Penny and Koko continue to work together at the Gorilla Foundation in one of the longest interspecies communication projects. The foundation’s aim is to improve the treatment of captive gorillas and protect free-living gorillas from extinction.
Koko a lowland gorilla
Koko paints abstract art and her work has even fooled some critics who were asked to evaluate her work. Little did they realise it was produced by a gorilla. Koko is also able to sign more than 1000 words in the English language.
Koko's painting entitled "Pink Pink Stink Nice Drink"
Koko painted her own rendition of a photo she saw that contained a valley with a stream banked by beautiful pink flowers. “Stink” is Koko’s sign for flowers, “drink” is her sign for water, and she named the painting herself.
whogivesamonkeys 
joan wilson manchester
August 31, 2011
what wonderful text, thank you. It just goes to show how sensitive and special our Great apes are. I pray for a future where these majestic apes are all treated with the dignity they deserve and to be placed in a 100% environment for the species, so they can live similar to what they really need and desire.
Vivienne Palmer
August 31, 2011
The chimps at the Chimp Human Communication Institute in Washington State also love to paint – as they were all part of the project to teach chimps sign language back in the ’60’s, they also name their pictures (though it’s fair to call them impressionist rather than realistic…)
http://store.friendsofwashoe.org/page2.html
Just as an aside, I’m feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of euthanizing great apes for things like heart problems – it feels a bit like putting your uncle to sleep (or maybe it’s just me….)
urbanprimate
August 31, 2011
Thanks for sharing this info Vivienne, I had not heard about chimps painting before!
I believe the staff and vets at the zoo looked at every eventuality for Doc, his heart problem was very complicated (blood was not pumping properly). There are obviously ethical and medical considerations to take into account for captive apes, i doubt they would have operated to save him – RIP. Doc’s art work is very impressive, so delicate!
janis j
August 31, 2011
What an amazing ability Doc had. Let’s hope his talent, his story lives on to educate what
wonderful and human like creatures these apes are. They should be treated with the upmost
respect that they so deserve.
KoKo is my bucket wish. To meet with her and sign, I can think of nothing better in the world.
She also has touched so many with her heart and talent. But still, there has to be more help
than destruction that humans can do, as the supposed superior species for this beautiful creature.
We seem to destroy, experiment and keep captive these innocent and beautiful creatures, what
a horrible legacy for the human race.
urbanprimate
August 31, 2011
I hope you get your wish Janis. Koko s quite something. I can’t believe how tiny Dr Patterson looks next to her.
A
Tim Brunt
August 31, 2011
Monkey is my business, and i’m in it to win it ;
Vernon Reynolds
September 1, 2011
Do ape painting buffs know about Congo, Desmond Morris’s chimp? His paintings were in a very different style from Doc’s. Like human painters, apes have their distinctive styles. For those who want to see Congo’s paintings, some are reproduced in Desmond Morris’s 1958 book “The Story of Congo”, but it’s a hard book to get. Vernon
urbanprimate
September 1, 2011
Thanks for the info Vernon!
I’ve found a lovely photo of Congo at work and was very interested to learn that some of his art outsold artists Jake and Dinos Chapman, as well as Andy Warhol’s work during an auction at Bonhams in 2005.
Did you know owners of Congo’s work have been Picasso, Miró and, reportedly, the Duke of Edinburgh?!
Asha
RONEDEE
September 7, 2011
HERE YOU GO GIRL …..Lab Chimps See Daylight For First Time http://gizmodo.com/5837737/lab-chimps-see-daylight-for-first-time
urbanprimate
September 15, 2011
Thanks Ron,
A number of people have sent me this. I’ve been away, so blogging as put on hold for 2 weeks.
Ash