Franschhoek’s Farm Sanctuary SA is offering a hefty R1.2 million reward for information leading to the recovery of a stolen painting sheep.
The sheep, Baanksy, was last seen on the evening of February 1.
Founder and Director of the farm, Joanne Lefson, said: “A family visiting from the UK had booked a commission from Baanksy on 2 February, but he didn’t arrive at his art studio.
“We went looking for him and filed a police report. We don’t have any leads to go on. We had a smaller reward last week but now we have upped it to R1.2 million because we want clarification on what happened.
“He was either stolen but there were no signs of a break-in, or out somewhere roaming the Winelands. We don’t know why this particular sheep went missing when we have 10 of them.”
Baanksy is a painting sheep that has travelled the world.
“It’s not just any ordinary sheep, Baanksy is a two-year-old sheep that was rescued in 2022 from the side of the road in the Karoo - an intensive sheep farming region of South Africa. He was taken to Farm Sanctuary SA in Franschhoek.
“Farm Sanctuary SA is known for having had Pigcasso - a painting pig that was rescued in 2016 and who became the most accomplished animal artist in history.
“As a vulnerable lamb, Baanksy was kept near Pigcasso’s art studio and he would often watch Pigcasso paint,” the farm director said.
“One day in 2024 when the sheep was being sheared, a brush was needed to clear the hair from the shearer’s blade. One of Pigcasso’s brushes was used and left in the stall. The sheep walked to the brush, picked it up, and made similar artistic movements to those made by Pigcasso.
“The sheep learned to paint by watching Pigcasso. While Baanksy’s career only began in 2024; the sheep had already acquired a global following having sold artworks around the world and raised invaluable awareness and revenue for the sanctuary and its mission. “
Lefson said the sheep can be identified by having paint on his hooves.
“And that the sheep can paint once he is returned. The conditions of the reward is that the sheep is returned alive to the sanctuary and that 50% of the recipient’s reward is donated to a charity of his or her choice.
“The last painting that Baanksy painted was a yellow heart that was in lieu of Valentine’s Day.
“His life has intrinsic value beyond the brush. His art is an inspiration to the world and the underlying message to raise awareness to the plight of farm animals priceless. We are hopeful that he will be found and safely returned to the sanctuary.”
Lefson explained the large amount for the reward.
“The reward is very high but the average painting of Baanksy goes for about R35 000.
“His art sells around the world. He watched another animal paint and learned like that and that is why he is so special. It’s not easy to replace a painting sheep. The money is a lot but the value of the artwork that he’s made, it is worth it.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Twigg said they are investigating a stock theft case. “According to the complainant, she left the sheep on 1 February at about 5pm and when she returned the following day, 2 February at about 9.15am, she noticed the sheep was missing. No arrests have been made yet. The investigation continues.”
Lefson requests anyone with information to email: [email protected]