Port Moody artist Silvina Lanusse was painting portraits of children about a year back when she happened to pick up a photo of a chimpanzee.
She noticed the animal's facial expressions were similar to the kids she was interpreting on canvas.
"I found pictures of them hugging, laughing, crying, meditating, playing," she said. "I think it's true what scientists say, that they're the closest creature to us humans."
Last year, Lanusse started the comparison project in a new series that is now on show at the Leigh Square Community Arts Village in Port Coquitlam.
The opening reception for the exhibit, called Connections, Relations & Bonds, is tomorrow (Thursday) at 6 p.m. at the village (1100-2253 Leigh Sq.).
Lanusse's 24 acrylic pieces are paired with work from Raymond Chiu, an established international painter and graphic artist who is also a Kwantlen University graduate. His paintings shed light on man's best friend, the dog.
