I’ve never sold my paintings. But these abstract collaborations I did with ape artists from Save The Chimps are now available at Omega Auctions to raise funds for the sanctuary. Each signed painting is named for one of my songs, and there are only five, so bid now for your favorite! Auction closes July 17.

 

Abstract Art Meets Animal Advocacy: Collaborative Paintings by Music Icon and Chimpanzee Artists Go to Auction for Save the Chimps

In an extraordinary blend of artistic vision, animal advocacy, and musical nostalgia, a celebrated music icon has teamed up with some unlikely collaborators: rescued chimpanzees. For the first time ever, a series of abstract paintings co-created by the musician and chimpanzee artists from Save the Chimps sanctuary are available to the public through Omega Auctions. Each work is a unique fusion of expressive color, emotion, and instinct — and each one supports the future of the sanctuary’s residents.

Titled after songs from the artist’s storied career, the five collaborative paintings are as rare as they are heartfelt. With only five pieces available — all signed and personally titled by the artist — this limited auction offers collectors and fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own an artwork that spans species, speaks for conservation, and resonates with the rhythm of creativity.

The auction closes on July 17, and interest is mounting from art enthusiasts, music fans, and animal advocates alike.

A Rare Artistic Debut

Though the artist behind these works has made a name in music, this auction marks their first foray into selling original visual art. But what makes the project even more remarkable is the nature of the collaboration itself.

The co-artists are chimpanzees living at Save the Chimps, one of the world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuaries, located in Fort Pierce, Florida. The sanctuary is home to over 200 chimpanzees, many of whom were rescued from laboratories, the entertainment industry, or private ownership. Providing these intelligent beings with a safe, enriching environment is no small task — and that’s where this artistic endeavor steps in.

“I’ve never sold my paintings before,” said the musician, “but this project was different. These pieces aren’t just mine — they belong to the chimps as much as to me. It felt right to release them into the world in support of Save the Chimps, which does such vital work.”

Art as Enrichment

At Save the Chimps, art isn’t just an experiment — it’s enrichment. Some of the sanctuary’s residents enjoy painting as a form of play and expression. Using non-toxic paints, paper, and tools specially adapted for chimp hands, the chimps choose their colors and movements freely. Their styles are as varied as their personalities — some bold and chaotic, others calm and deliberate.

For the collaborative series, the musician worked in dialogue with the chimpanzee artists, responding to their brushstrokes with their own and vice versa. The result is a striking balance of instinct and intention, chaos and composition — each canvas revealing something raw, spontaneous, and profoundly unique.

The five paintings up for auction are titled after the artist’s songs, adding an intimate layer of connection between their music and this new visual language.

A Cause Close to the Heart

Proceeds from the auction will go directly to Save the Chimps to fund sanctuary operations, including food, medical care, and enrichment programs. With the average lifespan of a chimpanzee stretching into decades, the commitment to their care is long-term and costly.

“This auction is more than just art,” said a representative from Save the Chimps. “It’s about raising awareness and support for chimpanzees who’ve overcome unimaginable hardship. These paintings symbolize the healing that happens when compassion and creativity come together.”

The sanctuary hopes the collaboration inspires a broader conversation about the value of all sentient lives and the need to protect non-human primates from exploitation.

Final Days to Bid

Hosted by Omega Auctions, known for curating rare and culturally significant pieces, the sale has already attracted international attention. The auction closes on July 17, and given the limited number of paintings — just five in total — bids are expected to climb in the final days.

Each painting is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and details about the chimpanzee co-artist involved in its creation. The works are untamed yet intimate, with swaths of color and layered textures that reflect both the wild spirit of their makers and the contemplative vision of their human collaborator.

With only five collaborative paintings in existence, the auction is not only a rare chance to own a piece of cross-species history but also a direct way to support the ongoing care of some of the world’s most vulnerable great apes.

To view the artworks and place a bid, visit Omega Auctions’ website.

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