Chimpanzees share 98% of our DNA and are similar to humans emotionally, physically—and even creatively. To spotlight the artistry of apes, art rockers The B-52’s partnered with Save the Chimps to paint a collection of abstract pieces to debut on World Chimpanzee Day at Art Santa Fe.  

The Wild Planet Collection features 30 acrylic paintings based on the vivid covers of some of The B-52’s most popular albums. Singers Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, and Cindy Wilson painted the base coats, then chose color combos for the chimps to use at Save the Chimps’ sanctuary in Florida. FedEx shipped the 30 paintings free of charge to Art Santa Fe (where some of the chimps are “local artists” as they were rescued from a now-defunct laboratory in New Mexico).

The process and the sanctuary can be viewed in this brief video set to the band’s hit “Roam.” 

All purchases benefit Save the Chimps, a 501c3 charity. The 150-acre refuge, home to more than 220 chimps rescued from labs and the entertainment industry, is in Fort Pierce, Florida.

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