The Curator's Eye

Primal Strokes | Towan the Orangutan, Painter

selected by Felicity Oram, asian primates keeper, Woodland Park Zoo

Untitled, 16 X 20 inches, non-toxic acrylic paint, sidewalk chalk on canvas.
Photos courtesy of Woodland Park Zoo.

I first met Towan many years ago — more years than I’d like to say. Born at our zoo in 1968, he has been painting for almost all of his forty-one years. Artistic talent is not uncommon among primates in captivity, as it’s a healthy way to keep them active and engaged. I recently met an “orang” in England who immensely enjoyed working in crayon.

I think Towan’s paintings are my favorites, though all our orangs have different artistic talents. Most of the females are more interested in weaving activities. One female made a swing by stringing up a milk crate with some denim. Another would rather paint on the wall or on a barrel (graffiti artist). Towan really engages with canvas — and looks really cute when he holds the paint pan.

Like most artists, Towan does what he wants, and he takes his time because, being the dominant male, he can. The other day I put blue, yellow and red paint out for him. But he did not want red and yellow. He carefully worked his brush all the way around to the color he did want. When you work with an animal that intelligent, you don’t always feel you’re the smarter one.

Many of his pieces are sold, with all proceeds going to support the Zoo. I have one of his older works, which I bought for five hundred dollars and hung in my living room. It just spoke to me.

People think he’s the most prolific of all the orangutans, but really it’s just easier to get the canvases back from him. When he’s finished, he’s finished. There’s no doubt about it. — F.O.

Photograph of Towan by Ryan Hawk.