But do they like it?

The Amsterdam zoo yesterday launched an exhibition of abstract art by apes, including a live painting display by a female orang-utan, Reuter reports from Amsterdam. The collection was made by a doctor who was interested in the work of toddlers but became captivated by comparing their work with that of apes.

'Apes in general seem to get stuck in a phase which a toddler quickly outgrows,' the zoo said. 'Even after 10 years' practice an ape is still satisfied with 'scribble marks' or 'fan motifs', and sometimes its interest in drawing fades completely over time.'