Words by Jack Fletcher
Pictures by Bronek Kaminski 

It may not be a Warhol or a Da Vnci but this painting of a potted
yellow flower is no mean feat – especially for an elephant.

Deleicatley painted by Lankam, the 11 year old male elephant, the
painting is just one hundreds of pieces created at the “Maesa Elephant
Camp” in the tropical jungle of Chiang Mai’s Maesa Valley.#

For full story, pictures and video:

The “Maesa Elephant Camp” is home to one of the largest assembly of
elephants in the north of Thailand .

Conservationist here create a natural and healthy environment for the
elephants while working to conserve and breed them, due to the
dwindling number of Asian elephants left in the wild.

Each year thousands of tourists travel to the northern region to
witness the amazing talents of the elephants who also play football
and basketball.

Swedish photographer Bronek Kaminski, had been travelling through the
country when he stumbled across the unique park.

“I was amazed by the elephants,” he says.

“They hold the brush in their trunk and paint as though it is second
nature. Each stroke is so considered it is quite unbelievable.”

Lankam is one of eight elephant artists at the park.

In 2004 Lankam was joined by Kongkum, Wanpen, Kamsan, Duanpen,
Songpun, Punpetch and Pu Ood to create a record breaking painting.

Measuring 2.40 metres wide and 12 metres long, the aptly named
entitled “Cold Wind, Swirling Mist, Charming Lanna” was recognised by
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not and the Guinness World Records as “the
Largest Painting by a Group of Elephants” and “the Most Expensive
Painting by A Group of Elephants” respectively.

In 2005 the painting was bought by Ms Panit Warin (Sinanta), a Thai
born businessperson who lives in California, for 1.5 million baht
(£20,000).

The painting consists of two connecting canvas panels and they are
kept at different venues.

The first panel being bought by Ms Panit was donated to the Thai
Government to be kept as a national treasure and the second panel is
on displayed at the camp’s gallery.

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