Lake Ontario (from the series Les riverains) – Francois Morelli + Martina

20 × 16 inches | Wrapped canvas
Tempera, acrylic ink and acrylic paint on canvas

There’s quite a crowd gathered on this canvas, and every character seems to have a story.

Working with sweeping strokes of blue, green and soft pink originally painted by Martina, artist François Morelli introduces a curious collection of faces and figures. Some are immediately recognizable, while others take a little searching to discover. Fellow chimpanzee Noelle also contributed to the original painting.

Morelli is an acclaimed Canadian multidisciplinary artist whose work explores relationships, identity and the spaces we share. A recipient of Québec’s prestigious Prix Paul-Émile-Borduas, he brings his distinctive figurative imagery to this collaboration.

Martina, the confident alpha female of Primate Rescue Center’s chimpanzee troop, knows a thing or two about navigating a crowd herself. The result is a wonderfully busy composition that rewards a closer look.

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