Save the Chimps is the largest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuary in the world. Situated on 150 acres in Fort Pierce, Florida, the refuge provides exemplary vet care, nutritious food and social enrichment to over 220 chimps retired from laboratories, the entertainment industry, the pet trade and roadside zoos. Founded in 1997, the sanctuary’s Advisory Council includes Jane Goodall, and supporters include Paul McCartney and Pink.
Hot on the heels of Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell show with Black Sabbath, the Prince of Darkness himself teamed up with our chimpanzee residents creating abstract art.
“I paint because it gives me peace of mind, but I don’t sell my paintings,” says Ozzy. “I’ve made an exception with these collaborations as it raises money for Save the Chimps, a sanctuary for hundreds of apes rescued from labs, roadside zoos and wildlife traffickers.”
Ozzy painted intricate, multi-coloured acrylic basecoats on five 20”x20” canvases, then the ape artists at the sanctuary added their own brushstrokes. The signed artworks are named after Osbourne’s own songs or albums.
“Chimps are our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, and I’m really proud of Ozzy for helping look after them,” says Sharon Osbourne. “These paintings will not only raise much needed funds for the sanctuary, they’ll help promote awareness to the public.”
Celebrating the late Ozzy Osbourne’s birthday on December 3, Save the Chimps will release limited edition prints, scarves and t-shirts of the rock icon’s abstract collaborations with ape artists from the sanctuary!
Photography: Kamil Szkopik
