Animal magic: paintings by orang-utans and elephants, but is it art?

Paintings by orang-utans, gorillas, chimpanzees and elephants will feature in an Art by Animals exhibition which opens tomorrow.

The display at the Grant Museum of Zoology, University College London, is believed to be the first multi species art show.

Pieces includes a painting of a flowerpot created by an elephant called Boon Me, formerly involved in the Thai logging industry, and a tiny finger painting by a chimp.

The museum says it hopes the exhibition will help answer the question of whether animal art is really art. "That's the big question," said Jack Ashby, the museum manager.

"While elephants can be trained to always paint the same thing, art by apes is a lot more creative and is almost indistinguishable from abstract art by humans. Ape art is often compared to that of two or three-year-old children in the 'scribble stage'. "

Co-curator Mike Tuck, a graduate of the UCL Slade School of Fine Art, said the show was an attempt to take a "broad view of the phenomenon." The exhibition runs until March 9. Admission is free.