Six Artists Who Turn Money into Art

While most of us are busy earning and budgeting our money, a handful of artists are spending their time finding creative ways to convert currency into art. Here are six artists who use cash as their canvas.

Scott Campbell

This Brooklyn-based artist makes a living pawning his premium tattoo services for a whopping $300 per hour. Wonder what he does with all of that money? Campbell collects stacks of singles, and uses a special etching process to engrave incredibly detailed imagery into his cash. The original dollar bills may be destroyed, but the resulting art is priceless.

Justine Smith

British sculptor Justine Smith uses currency as her clay, creating eye popping designs laced with capitalist themes. Through her politically-charged artwork, Smith demonstrates how the concept of money has permeated all pangs of society — the still (dollar daisies), the living (sheep sheered from singles) and the malevolent (money-coated weapons).

Yousuke Hasegawa

What started off as an old Japanese parlor trick became a profitable hobby for artist Yousuke Hasegawa. Through origami, Hasegawa designs a series of political leaders wearing funny little hats. He released a book in 2007 that not only showed off his creations, but also taught fans how to make their own.

Laura Gilbert

On a cold day in October (2008), artist Laura Gilbert headed down to Wall St, armed with 5,000 bailout bills. Gilbert handed the $0 bills to gloomy bankers, providing a visual symbol of the declining value of the dollar. Those worthless $0 bills have since gained value as collector’s items.

Atypyk (Ivan Duvall and Jean Sebastien Ides)

French art duo Atypyk leant their creativity to our currency by plucking out single dollars, giving George Washington pop culture makeovers, and returning the bills back into circulation. While this offended a handful of Americans, it left many of us pondering a life with Spider-Man as President.

Won Park

Origami expert Won Park can turn a $1 bill into any 3D figurine, from a Sci-Fi Starship to a fire breathing dragon. Instead of using a traditional origami square, Park folds cold cash into incredibly detailed objects, inspired by nature, Asian culture and pop media.

Bonus: Britt Savage

Musician Brit Savage needed something to wear on tax day, so she created her own dress — out of shredded tax forms. Savage, who claims this was her first foray into fashion, has since sold the dress on eBay for $300, which she has donated to charity.

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