R1.2 million reward offered for missing painting sheep Baanksy

Farm Sanctuary SA is offering a R1.2 million reward for information leading to the safe return of its beloved ‘Rambrandt’ of animal art, and Pigcasso-prodigy, Baanksy, who was last seen on Saturday, 1 February 2025.

The Franschhoek-based animal rescue sanctuary discovered Baanksy was missing when he did not arrive at his art studio on Sunday, 2 February, to work on a commission that had been booked by a family visiting from the United Kingdom.

‘Investigation ongoing’

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said they are investigating a stock theft case.

“According to the complainant, she left the sheep on 1 February at about 17:00 and when she returned the following day, 2 February at about 09:15, she noticed the sheep was missing.

“No arrests have been made yet.

“The investigation continues.”

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.”

‘Worth it’

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.”

Baanksy is a 2.5-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.

Painting pig Pigcasso

Farm Sanctuary SA made headlines as the home of Pigcasso, a painting pig who was saved from the slaughterhouse in 2016 who went on to become one of the most accomplished animal artists in history.

To the dismay of fans worldwide and the over 111 000 social media users who followed her on Instagram, Pigcasso, sadly died of chronic rheumatoid arthritis in March 2024 – as reported by The South African website.

‘As a vulnerable lamb, Baanksy was kept near Pigcasso’s art studio, and he would often watch Pigcasso paint,’ the sanctuary explained.

‘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.’

Having learnt to paint through watching Pigcasso, Baanksy’s artistic career was born.

‘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,’ added Farm Sanctuary SA.

The last painting by the sheep artist was a yellow heart, created in lieu of Valentine’s Day on Friday, 14 February.

Having been missing for well over a week, Farm Sanctuary SA is offering the reward for Baanksy’s safe return with two conditions:

• Baanksy is returned alive to the sanctuary.
• 50% of the recipient’s reward is donated to a charity of their choice.

The sanctuary added that the painting sheep can be identified by having paint on his hooves, as well as, of course, his ability to paint.

‘Baanksy’s life has intrinsic value beyond the brush,’ said Lefson.

‘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.’

Anyone with information is urged to email: director@farmsanctuarysa.org