BROADCASTS.com

Congo, pet chimp of science writer and TV personality Desmond Morris, was considered a novelty in the art world when his paintings were displayed in the 1950\u2019s. But, on 20th June, 2005, three of his works went under the hammer at prestigious London auction house Bonham\u2019s - and sold for \xa312,000.\nMorris - zoologist, surrealist and author of the bestselling science book The Naked Ape - had the perfect experience to support the monkey in his artistic career, and was rewarded when his chimp\u2019s paintings were displayed at the ICA, lauded by Dali, and purchased by Prince Philip.\xa0\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how Congo\u2019s approach to art differentiated him from other primates; question whether Morris really was truly able to determine, as he claimed, that financial reward ruins artistic impulses; and reveal how Congo\u2019s status as the world\u2019s most advanced painting ape might soon be under threat\u2026\xa0\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u2018Bidders go ape for chimpanzee art\u2019 (BBC News, 2005): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4109664.stm\n\u2022 \u2018Congo and the \u2018Biology of Art\u2019\u2019 (Zoological Society of London, 2021): https://www.zsl.org/blogs/artefact-of-the-month/congo-and-the-biology-of-art\n\u2022 \u2018Meridian Tonight: Desmond Morris and surrealist art \u2018 (ITV, 2012)\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvzGV3LnWIE\n\nFor bonus material and to support the show, visit\xa0Patreon.com/Retrospectors\nWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts:\xa0podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Sophie King.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022.\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices