Inspired by scientific research into the self-medicating behaviour of wild chimpanzees, Nature’s Healer explores the remarkable relationship between animal intelligence, the natural world and the capacity for care. The painting imagines a tender encounter in which an injured chimpanzee is comforted by a companion, drawing upon the possibility that knowledge of medicinal plants can be shared and passed between generations.

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Hidden within a secluded forest clearing, the two chimpanzees are surrounded by dense foliage that provides both shelter and a rich source of natural remedies. The injured animal rests upon a bed of ferns, identified as Christella parasitica, a plant associated with traditional medicinal uses and investigated for its potential therapeutic properties. Its outstretched arm is gently supported by its companion, transforming the act of self-medication into a moment of apparent tenderness and mutual care.

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Lees uses body language and facial expression to communicate the emotional intensity of the encounter. The injured chimpanzee's curved posture, drawn into a protective, almost foetal position, conveys vulnerability, while its limp arm and sorrowful expression invite the viewer's empathy. In contrast, the companion sits with quiet composure, placing a reassuring hand upon the wounded limb. Its upright posture and attentive gaze suggest confidence and wisdom, evoking the familiar gestures of a parent caring for a child.

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Beyond the immediate shelter of the foreground foliage, distant mountain ranges unfold across the landscape, suggesting the vastness of the chimpanzees' natural habitat. The layered scenery creates a sense of continuity, hinting at the countless encounters taking place beyond the limits of human observation. The forest becomes more than a setting; it represents a living repository of knowledge, where the relationship between animals and plants may hold discoveries still waiting to be understood.

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Through this imagined encounter, Nature’s Healer invites reflection on the intelligence of other species and the possibility that healing knowledge, observation and learned behaviour extend far beyond the human world. The painting celebrates the complexity of chimpanzees while challenging the perceived boundary between human compassion and animal behaviour. Ultimately, it presents nature as both a source of healing and a teacher, reminding us that the lives of other species contain stories of resilience, connection and knowledge that we are only beginning to comprehend.

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Oil on canvas 45 x 50 x 2cm 

Framed 48 x 53 x 3.5cm (supplied)

£750

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Supplied framed as seen below