Untitled – William J. O’Brien + Ike

12 × 12 inches | Wrapped canvas
Tempera, ink, gouache, acrylic and pen on canvas

Bold sweeps of green and blue meet a maze of curling lines, playful pink accents and intricate patterns in this lively collaboration between contemporary artist William J. O’Brien and Ike, a chimpanzee at Primate Rescue Center.

O’Brien builds upon Ike’s original brushwork without losing its energy, creating a composition that rewards a closer look. Based in Chicago, O’Brien is known for his exuberant use of color, pattern and unconventional materials. His work has been exhibited internationally, including a major solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

Ike, meanwhile, has never been one to blend into the background. Loud, confident and full of personality, he’s a fitting counterpart to O’Brien’s wonderfully busy additions.

About the artwork: The first photo shows the completed collaboration being auctioned. The second shows Ike’s original painting before O’Brien added his contributions. Both images depict the same canvas; only the completed artwork is included.