My Macaque Moment

Artefacts is helping to promote the Association of Animal Artists’ Spring Exhibition 2025 which I’m delighted to be part of. As a member of this incredible community of animal-loving artists, it’s wonderful to see our work celebrated. Seeing my macaque gracing the pages of a publication like Artefacts—an esteemed magazine that reaches the friends of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, along with other galleries and museums across the West Midlands—is nothing short of surreal. That kind of exposure is a dream come true, not just for me, but for all the talented artists involved.

Let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like seeing your own artwork in print. It’s a mix of pride, joy, and a little bit of disbelief (I may have triple-checked the page just to make sure it was really my macaque!). While none of us artists really need validation for the work we do—we pour our hearts into it simply because we love it—it’s undeniably wonderful when someone recognizes your efforts. Let’s just say this is one monkey who’s made me feel on top of the world.

To Artefacts Magazine, thank you for giving us this platform. To the Association of Animal Artists, thank you for championing our passion. And to anyone who gets their hands on this issue of Artefacts, I hope my cheeky macaque brings a smile to your face.

Here’s to the Spring Exhibition and to celebrating the beauty of the animal kingdom through art! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find the perfect spot to display my copy of the magazine.

Until next time,

Mo

A couple of months ago, I shared a blog post about one of my favorite paintings—a portrait of a macaque monkey that holds a special place in my heart. At the time, I couldn’t have imagined where that painting would end up. Fast forward to today, and I’m absolutely thrilled to share some exciting news: my macaque has been selected to feature as a full-page spread in Artefacts Magazine!