Tattoo Artist Scott Campbell Cuts Up Currency & Burns Tortillas

The last time I featured someone who defaced money in the name of art, Hanna Von Goeler, the post received numerous controversial comments.

Well, get ready to start typing again, because this time, I'm sharing with you some seriously cut up currency by tattoo artist Scott Campbell.

Using imagery commonly associated with tattoos and the current trends like skulls, roses, religious icons, barbed wire, the Grim Reaper, swallows, swirls and hearts, Scott has adeptly carved out stacks of currency to create stunning monetary sculptures. Others have script phrases such as "Bros Before Hos" and "Thank You Jesus".

In April of 2009, Campbell held his first solo exhibition at O.H.W.O.W. to much critical acclaim. The show featured various pieces, only a few of which were the intricately cut stacks of bills. Other pieces include tortillas burnt in the likenesses of Jesus, Mary and Bart Simpson, c-prints of tattoos, carved book covers and more.

Whether or not you think it's 'illegal' the following works are beautiful and just one of Scott Campbell's many talents.










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images courtesy of Scott Campbell and LaMJC and Supertouch art

At present he has show at the Lazarides Gallery in London. 'Almost Always There' will be on display from 1st October 2009 - 30th October 2009

Some other pieces from his solo shows:

C-prints of tattoos of various iconic figures wearing 3D glasses:



Burnt Tortillas:





above image courtesy of New York Times Magazine

In April of 2009, Campbell held his first solo exhibition at O.H.W.O.W. to much critical acclaim. The show featured various pieces, only a few of which were the intricately cut stacks of bills. Other pieces include tortillas burnt in the likeness of Jesus, Mary and bart Simpson, c-prints of tattoos, carved book covers and more.

In 2004, he opened Saved Tattoo in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Since then, it has grown to be the East Coast's premier tattoo shop with a devout following of celebrity clientele. Campbell has the taken the blue collar grit and lore of tattoo culture and extracted a visual language and wit that are supremely refined and deliberate. He has an uncanny ability to tell a story with any medium, flesh or otherwise.

We've Heard Of Art As Currency, But What About Currency As Art?

My Money, My Currency by Hanna von Goeler

"My currency work originated in California, while I was studying at UC Davis. I was very interested in camouflage at the time. This interest led me to create my first paintings on dollar bills, between 1992-94, in which I camouflaged/painted images onto and into bills. A death in the family led me to the east coast, and faced with the costs of living in New York City on an artist’s budget, I continued to paint on money."

Below are the works from her My Currency series (click on the images to enlarge):


















The artist's site

"Even today, with the global financial crisis at hand and with political and cultural currencies vying for power, my currency series continues to engage me and feel relevant. This set of work (the 11 pieces shown below) is not a one-time statement about some aspect of money, but a continued exploration of money, currency and agency in my life. It’s a great privilege and joy to show a selection of this work in California, where the seeds for this project were nourished”

-- hanna von goeler

The following 11 pieces are each for sale at the HANG art gallery in San Francisco. You can also purchase them online here.











Purchase her currency works at HANG here.
HANG ART | 556 SUTTER ST. SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102

A bit about the artist:
Hanna von Goeler is primarily a conceptual and project based artist, who also explores her interests in smaller works and sketches. She received a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and her MFA from the University of California, Davis. She completed additional post graduate study at the Jan van Eyck Academy in the Netherlands, a program which selects 25 participants annually from around the globe.

Hanna von Goeler’s ongoing currency project was selected by Robert Storr (former curator at the Museum of Modern Art, NYC and curator of the 2007 Venice Biennale) to be shown at Exit Art in New York City. Part of this series was also featured in the British publication “Another Magazine” as part of a special project highlighting Amercian artists. Five hundred pieces selected from her currency series will be shown as part of an upcoming solo show at the Hunterdon Museum of Art. In January of 2009, a solo exhibition in the Project Room at Sloan Fine Art in New York City, will feature a new installation.

You can add yourself to her mailing list here.