Kind of Blue – Ike

Ike, chimpanzee
Kind of Blue, 2026
Tempera paint on stretched canvas
30 × 30 inches

Sweeping strokes of cobalt blue, turquoise and green cross, curl and double back across this large canvas, with flashes of orange and gold appearing between the layers. The colors seem to move in every direction at once, creating a composition that’s bold, a little unpredictable and full of interesting twists.

Much like Ike himself.

One of Primate Rescue Center’s most vocal chimpanzees, Ike is confident, expressive and rarely inclined to keep his opinions to himself. Some days, he’s content to relax with his family. Other days, he’s practicing his impressive displays, stomping his feet or making sure everyone knows exactly how he’s feeling. And with his good friend Rodney often nearby, there’s always the possibility of a little extra excitement.

Fellow chimpanzees Rodney and Noelle also contributed to this original work, adding their own marks to its colorful layers.