Meet the Best Chimpanzee Artist in America (He Paints With His Tongue)

Brent, a 37-year-old chimp from Chimp Haven in Keithville, La., is the best chimpanzee artist in America, according to a public vote.
Six retired chimps from sanctuaries across the country competed in a painting contest this month, sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States. Creating artwork is one of the activities sanctuaries provide to retired chimps, many of whom spent decades in laboratories for medical research or in fields such as the pet trade.

Brent and five other chimps submitted an original piece of artwork for the contest, which the public voted on and was judged by none other than famed primatologist Jane Goodall.  After 27,000 votes, Brent took home first place, receiving a $10,000 grant for his sanctuary. The chimp paints only with his tongue, resulting in pieces of art which are slightly unorthodox but modern, according to the sanctuary. All of the works will be auctioned off on eBay for charity. Click through to meet the chimps and see their artwork.