MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) — Legendary rock icon Ozzy Osbourne spent some of the final weeks of his life collaborating with a group of artistic chimpanzees at a Florida sanctuary.
Osbourne, who said he often painted simply for his own pleasure and peace of mind, crafted multi-colored basecoats on five canvases. The ape artists at Save the Chimp’s sanctuary in Fort Pierce were then given free rein to add their own touches with their brushstrokes.
The result was five abstract works of art, each named after one of Osbourne’s songs or albums. The originals sold for a total of $75,000 in an auction that launched only a week before Osbourne passed away on July 22.
His Facebook post promoting the collection was one of his very last. In it, Osbourne wrote that he didn’t normally sell his paintings, but that this was a special case.
The proceeds went to Save the Chimps, which rescues chimpanzees from labs, roadside zoos and wildlife traffickers. It’s one of the largest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuaries in the world at 150 acres.
“Painting is just one of many enrichment activities we offer our residents,” said Save the Chimps Events Director Dan Mathews. “Some really enjoy it, while others prefer food, puzzles, foraging activities, or picture books.”
Though his health was declining, Osbourne’s wife, Sharon, told the nonprofit the singer was fully aware the collection of paintings was a hit, and it brought a smile to his face.
The top-selling painting, titled “Paranoid,” created by Ozbourne and a chimp named Janice sold for $18,000, according to Save the Chimps.
Fans got to see the works of art once more on the week of Osbourne’s birthday as a collection of limited-edition prints were made available at the Spectrum Miami art fair, which ran from Dec. 3 to Dec. 7. Scarves and t-shirts bearing the unique images were also offered to interested buyers.
“Ozzy was a man of the people, so we priced the prints and merch so his fans could participate in this fundraiser that we decided to launch on Ozzy’s birthday that coincided with Miami Art Week,” Matthews said.
Sharon Osbourne helped put the fundraiser together, with all profits again going to support the chimpanzee sanctuary.
“Chimps are our closest relatives in the animal world, and I’m proud of Ozzy for summoning the energy to support them during his last months, despite his health challenges,” Sharon Osbourne said. “The original paintings raised much needed funds for the sanctuary, and the prints, scarves and t-shirts will give even more fans the opportunity to help.”