Me and My Monkey – Bill Adams + Zulu

20 × 16 inches | Wrapped canvas
Tempera and oil on canvas

With wild hair, wide eyes and an expression that’s hard to pin down, this character looks like it has quite a story to tell.

Artist Bill Adams brings his offbeat sense of humor to Zulu’s original painting, transforming broad strokes of purple and coral into a wonderfully eccentric portrait. Fellow chimpanzee Ike also contributed to the original painting.

A New York-based contemporary artist, Adams is known for his imaginative, often humorous depictions of animals and other unusual subjects. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including a solo exhibition at the University of Kentucky Art Museum.

Zulu, meanwhile, is a little character herself. Small in stature but never short on confidence, she’s quick to offer a kiss face to her favorite caregivers and just as quick to stand her ground when necessary.

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