1) Are Ruby's Paintings Works of Art? Defend Your Answer

Ruby is an elephant at the Phoenix Zoo. She has, with the assistance of her keepers, been painting Abstract-Expression-style pictures on an easel for four years. She obviously enjoys painting, choosing her own colors and wielding the brush without human interference. She has caught the attention of animal researchers who seek to understand her motivations and powers of visual perception. She has been featured in major newspapers, and national magazines, including Smithsonian, and on nationally syndicated television programs such as Inside Edition. An art gallery, The Bishop Gallery, in Arizona, has been handling her work, which sells for as much as $600.00 a painting. To date sales from her exhibitions have exceeded $35, 000.

Reflect for a minute on these two questions. Jot down your answers, and be prepared to express your ideas in a class discussion to follow.

1) Are Ruby's paintings works of art? Defend your answer.

2) Is Ruby and artist? Defend your answer.

Below: Photo courtesy Phoenix Zoo. Photographer: Dick George Ruby with one of her completed paintings.