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Theo Zwinderman studied at the Art Academy Minerva in Groningen specialising in illustration and lithography. His work is very diverse and colorful, with an important role for texts and poetry. Theo uses different techniques like pastel pencil, acrylic paint, alkyd paint, charcoal, aquarel and collage.
In 2008 he was commissioned by the foundation AAP to create a series of drawings about animals who are taken in by them, including chimpanzees. In 2009 Theo met Jane Goodall. She told him how she was touched by the portraits he had made of the chimpanzees and that he had given them a soul, a huge compliment.
In 2025 he came in contact with Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Siera Leone through the Dutch Go Ape Foundation, a partner of Tacugama. The stories of the chimpanzees rescued there, touched him deeply and inspired by their stories, he decided to create a new series of portraits especially for the sanctuary. He also donated the proceeds from the sale of one of his paintings to support their work.
Besides his freelance work he writes picture books, fairy tales and poetry, which he illustrates himself. In his studio in Veendam he organizes courses and workshops.
€1500
Mus
Mus was found in the middle of Wilkinson road in 2013. She is a gentle chimp, and is often hanging around her friends Michael and Molly.
Mus is known for being incredibly social with both chimpanzees and humans, but also for her intelligence and confidence. During feeding time, caregivers use two separate feeding spots so younger chimpanzees can eat peacefully without being pushed aside by larger individuals like Mortes. But clever Mus has learned exactly how to move quickly between both feeding areas, secretly managing to secure herself an extra portion whenever she can.
Pastel Pencil, 50x40cm, 2025
To purchase please contact Theo: theozwinderman@gmail.com
€1500
Jane Goodall
Having met Jane, Theo decided to create a piece of the woman who inspired him. Sadly she never got to see it as it was completed the day before she passed away.
Collage, Alkyd on Panel, 60x40cm, 2025
To purchase please contact Theo: theozwinderman@gmail.com
€450 - SOLD
Fifo
Fifo arrived in Tacugama in November 2018 after being confiscated from a farmer in the Pujehun district. She arrived at 9 months old, malnourished and scared but recovered well. She now welcomes new babies to the sanctuary, comforts them, spends time with them and even reaches out her arm to invite them to come and walk with her.
Charcoal and Conté, 50x40cm, 2026
€500
Siama and Jackson Junior
When Siama arrived at the sanctuary, caregivers discovered a severe wound running from the front of his right shoulder through to his back: a bullet injury. They also found a pellet lodged beneath his skin. He was dangerously underweight and suffering from bronchitis, requiring intensive medical treatment and around-the-clock care. Despite everything he had endured, Siama slowly began to recover. In 2025, he was introduced to Jackson Junior.
JJ showed a remarkably gentle and kind personality. He formed strong bonds with his caregivers and initially stayed very close to them for comfort and reassurance. But everything changed once he began attending forest school. Out in the forest, JJ completely blossomed. The shy little orphan transformed into a fearless young chimpanzee who loved climbing the tallest trees and exploring every corner of the forest canopy. Today, they live together with seventeen other young chimpanzees in the nursery group.
Charcoal and Conté, 50x40cm, 2026
To purchase please contact Theo: theozwinderman@gmail.com
€500
Playing Chimpanzees
Baby Chimps are very playful and curious, using play to develop their social skills within their troup, these two delightful youngsters are no exception!
Charcoal and Conté, 50x40cm, 2026
To purchase please contact Theo: theozwinderman@gmail.com
€500
Mother and Child
Primate mothers are very protective and tender towards their babies, frequently nursing, cuddling and carrying them.
Charcoal and Conté, 50x40cm, 2026
To purchase please contact Theo: theozwinderman@gmail.com
€450
Siama
Siama was rescued in 2024 when he was estimated to be only around six months old. When he arrived at the sanctuary, caregivers discovered a severe wound running from the front of his right shoulder through to his back: a bullet injury. They also found a pellet lodged beneath his skin. He was dangerously underweight and suffering from bronchitis, requiring intensive medical treatment and around-the-clock care.
Despite everything he had endured, Siama slowly began to recover. In 2025, he was introduced to Jackson Junior and four other young orphans. Together, the small group spent nearly a year attending forest school, where they learned essential chimpanzee skills such as climbing, exploring and social bonding.
Charcoal and Conté, 50x40cm, 2026
To purchase please contact Theo: theozwinderman@gmail.com
€450
Suma
Suma was born after a contraception failure at Tacugama. His mother, Sita, is one of the fiercest and most protective mothers imaginable when it come to her son.
When Suma was born, he was tiny and completely hairless. As a youngster he was full of mischief. During feeding time, he would leap onto the heads of the older chimpanzees and create chaos wherever he went.
Today, Suma has grown into a powerful adult male.
Charcoal and Conté, 50x40cm, 2026
To purchase please contact Theo: theozwinderman@gmail.com
€450
Ramba
Rescued in 2018 at just one year old, Ramba's story is one of incredible resilience. After contracting a serious neurological illness, Ramba suffered from partial paralysis that severely weakened her limbs. Rather than giving up, Tacugama's caregivers adapted her daily routine entirely to her unique needs. Ramba now depends on round the clock support, including two dedicated caregivers and physiotherapy to help her stay mobile and comfortable.Her dedicated team carries her on their backs into the forest daily and a caregiver sleeps by her side every night.
Charcoal and Conté, 50x40cm, 2026
To purchase please contact Theo: theozwinderman@gmail.com
€450
Nico
Nico arrived with machete wounds, gunshot pellets and a broken right arm. An orthopedic surgeon managed to fix his broken arm, however the wound was so old that it never healed properly and is permanently deformed.
But beyond his physical injuries, Nico would later become known for something extraordinary: his friendship with another rescued chimpanzee named Tom. Tom had spent nearly thirty years trapped alone inside a tiny cage before finally being rescued. Because of this isolation, he never truly learned how to behave like a chimpanzee. For reasons nobody could fully explain, Nico accepted Tom in a way no other chimpanzee had before. The two formed a close friendship and spent time together peacefully, offering each other companionship despite Tom’s difficult social behaviour.
Nico’s patience and acceptance remain one of the most remarkable stories of friendship ever seen at Tacugama.
Charcoal and Conté, 50x40cm, 2026
To purchase please contact Theo: theozwinderman@gmail.com