Art show in Miami features works by chimps. Celebrities are buying
Chimpanzees displayed their works in the 305, and people snatched them up. Famous people, like Pink. The pop star reportedly just plunked down a cool $5,000 for a painting created by two primates.
The colorfully snazzy piece that the “Raise Your Glass” singer bought is a real conversation starter: A 31-by-41-inch acrylic on canvas “featuring vivid swaths of blue, white, and, you guessed it, pink!” the insider told Page Six.
On Wednesday evening, if you were able to snag a ticket to the (almost) sold out, $250-a-head “@rt by Chimps” exhibit at the New World Symphony Center in Miami Beach, you could have owned one, too.
All proceeds from sales of the animals’ creations, all priced at $5K, go toward the Save The
Chimps, a 150-acre sanctuary for chimps “discarded from labs and the entertainment industry” in Fort Pierce.
A purchase also included a VIP tour of the 150-acre facility, said organizer Dan Mathews. Each work at the exhibit was done by 15 of the most “introspective” chimps from the refuge.
Unfortunately, the talent wasn’t on hand for autographs or selfies despite a rumor to the contrary.
“They would not enjoy Art Basel at all,” said Matthews. “They are unpredictable around crowds.”
But when at home in the peaceful, verdant surroundings, some of them can do great things.
The PETA vet said many of the chimps — genetically closest to people — create with brushes, others with their fingers, and even their lips. Some prefer to paint solo, others in groups.
The exhibit’s curator, veteran celebrity photographer Karen Bystedt, chose the color combinations and backgrounds, and then the chimps “just went at it,” said Matthews.
“They were very intent and all had different styles.”
With Basel being a hoity toity art fair, after all, we had to ask: Will chimp art appreciate over time?
“Absolutely,” said Matthews. “Chimps share more than 98% of our DNA. We know that they’re very much like us physically, emotionally, and now, creatively. Their art is a special thing to own and should generate significant interest from collectors.”