Ivan the Gorilla's artwork on display in Atlanta restaurant
An abstract painting by Ivan the Gorilla.
The artwork of former Lakewood resident Ivan the Gorilla – he spent 31 years of his life at the B&I shopping center on South Tacoma Way before moving to Atlanta in 1994 -- is on display and up for auction at an Atlanta restaurant.
Diners at Stella Neighborhood Trattoria can purchase $2 raffle tickets for a chance to win abstract paintings by Ivan and his fellow Zoo Atlanta gorilla Willie B. Jr.
All proceeds will be donated to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, which is dedicated to the conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitat in Africa.
Ivan paints with a brush and his tongue. His palette runs toward bright colors. He finishes each original with his signature fingerprint.
Five paintings by Ivan and Willie B. Jr. will be on display for six months.
The artist, in contemplation.
This story was originally published May 29, 2008 at 6:07 AM with the headline "Ivan the Gorilla's artwork on display in Atlanta restaurant."