Chimp Outsells Warhol

Paintings by Congo the chimpanzee sold at auction for more than $26,352. The collection of three tempera paintings - all abstract - were auctioned at Bonhams in London alongside works by impressionist master Renoir and pop art provocateur Andy Warhol. But while Warhol and Renoir's work didn't sell, bidders lavished attention on Congo's paintings. An American bidder named Howard Hong, who described himself as an "enthusiast of modern and contemporary painting," purchased the lot of paintings for $26,352. Congo, born in 1954, produced about 400 drawings and paintings between the ages of 2 and 4. Pablo Picasso is reported to have hung a Congo painting on his studio wall after receiving it as a gift. For the full story - click the title Irish Art