News : Ozzy's wild canvas: Prince of Darkness paints with chimps for charity

Just as the echoes of Ozzy Osbourne's farewell performance with Black Sabbath fade, the Prince of Darkness is already making headlines with a surprising new collaboration. Ozzy has teamed up with a unique group of abstract artists: ex-lab chimpanzees from the Save the Chimps sanctuary, all to raise funds for the incredible organization.

Known for his legendary rock 'n' roll antics, Ozzy has now turned his artistic hand to a brilliant and important cause. "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 initiated the project by painting intricate, multi-colored acrylic basecoats on five 20"x20" canvases. The talented ape residents at the sanctuary then added their own distinctive brushstrokes, completing the one-of-a-kind artworks. Each signed piece is named after one of Osbourne’s iconic songs or albums, further cementing this extraordinary partnership.

Fans now have a chance to own a piece of this unique collaboration. The paintings are currently up for bid exclusively at Omega Auctions, a premier auction house for music memorabilia that generously donated its services for the project. Bids start at £1,000, and the auction closes on July 17th.

"Chimps are our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, and I’m really proud of Ozzy for helping look after them," commented Sharon Osbourne. "These paintings will not only raise much needed funds for the sanctuary, they’ll help promote awareness to the public."

Dan Mathews, Events Director at Save the Chimps, highlighted the importance of such activities for the sanctuary's residents. "Painting is just one of many enrichment activities we offer our residents. Some really enjoy it, while others prefer food puzzles, foraging activities, or picture books.”

Save the Chimps, the world's largest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuary, is located on 150 acres in Fort Pierce, Florida, and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. It boasts a roster of high-profile supporters, including Jane Goodall, Paul McCartney, and Bryan Adams.