This Is Art? - Redux

The artworld has been jolted by two major announcements today.

First, 32 previously unknown paintings by renowned abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollack were discovered in a storage locker on Long Island:

Pollocks come to light, 32 unrecorded early works, stored for years by East End friend of the artist, are revealed by the man’s son
By Joseph Mallia, Staff Writer, May 11, 2005

The 32 small paintings had been in a Wainscott storage locker for more than a quarter-century and were dark with grime when they were discovered.But a few things quickly became apparent after the find two years ago. They were among the early drip paintings by the abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock. They were worth as much as $10 million altogether.And they provide crucial evidence
showing Pollock was far more careful and disciplined than is commonly thought, said Alex Matter, 62, a Manhattan filmmaker who Tuesday publicly disclosed the existence of the paintings, which had belonged to his father.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, artwork by the renowned Congo the Chimp goes on the auction block in London on June 20:

London Auction House to Sell Chimp Artwork
MIKE MCDONOUGH, Associated Press Writer, May 11, 2005

LONDON -- Congo the chimpanzee led a brief artistic career and enjoyed little critical success, despite the patronage of his contemporary and fellow abstract painter, Pablo Picasso. But nearly half a century after Congo's artistic career, some of his paintings are going on sale at a prestigious London auction house alongside works by Andy Warhol and Renoir. Three tempera on paper works -- brightly colored compositions of bold brushstrokes -- will be featured as a single lot in the sale of Modern and Contemporary Art at Bonhams on June 20, the auctioneer said Wednesday. The lot estimate is between $1,130-$1,500.

via NY Newsday

One of these paintings is by Jackson Pollack, one of these is by a monkey, can you tell the difference? Remember Picasso had a Congo in his collection.





Pollack or chimp? It's hard to tell. In other animal art news, it appears that Koko the Talking Gorilla was also a prolific artist. Although, being that Koko is alive her works are undoubtedly of lesser value than Congo's.