Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Art Collaboration With Chimpanzees Debuts at Spectrum Miami
- camilarosiaz
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
A collection of abstract paintings created jointly by the late Ozzy Osbourne and chimpanzees from Save the Chimps will make its U.S. debut at Spectrum Miami during Miami Art Week, opening on what would have been Osbourne’s birthday, December 3. The exhibition runs December 3–7 at Mana Wynwood Convention Center.
The project was completed just weeks before Osbourne’s death in July. Working with the Florida-based sanctuary, Osbourne painted multicolored base layers on five canvases. Chimpanzee artists then added their own marks, creating a collaborative series named after Osbourne’s songs and albums. The original pieces were offered earlier this year through Omega Auctions, where the five works sold for a combined $75,000. The top seller, Paranoid, created with chimp Janice, reached $18,000.
Osbourne, who rarely allowed his paintings to be sold, made an exception for the collaboration to support the sanctuary. “I paint because it gives me peace of mind, but I don’t sell my paintings,” he said. “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.”
To honor his December 3 birthday, Sharon Osbourne is helping introduce limited edition prints from the collaboration along with five abstracts Ozzy painted individually—Blizzard of Ozz, Electric Funeral, Paranoid, Tattooed Dancer, and Technical Ecstasy. At Spectrum Miami, Save the Chimps will sell numbered prints for $150, with all proceeds benefiting the sanctuary. Additional items include scarves featuring three of the works for $75 and T-shirts with two designs for $35.
Sharon Osbourne noted the personal importance of the project during Ozzy’s final months, emphasizing that the original works provided meaningful support for the sanctuary. The organization’s events director, Dan Mathews, said only a small percentage of the sanctuary’s animals paint, but the collaboration aligned with Ozzy’s desire to make the fundraiser accessible to fans.
Founded 25 years ago, Save the Chimps is the world’s largest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuary, located on 150 acres in Fort Pierce, Florida. Its supporters include Jane Goodall, Paul McCartney, Bryan Adams, Alan Cumming, Gillian Anderson, and The B-52s. Corporate sponsor FedEx transported the artworks to and from the sanctuary.
Now in its 15th year, Spectrum Miami hosts more than 200 exhibiting artists and galleries. The fair includes special programs, the [SOLO] platform for independent artists, and the Spectrum FOCUS Pavilion highlighting outsider, street, pop, and urban art. Spectrum Miami runs alongside its sister fair, Red Dot Miami, and opens with a VIP preview on December 3.
More information about Save the Chimps is available on the organization’s website. Tickets for Spectrum Miami can be purchased through the Redwood Art Group.