NPA’s visitor experience, The Protectorate, has incorporated two fascinating new displays with the assistance of Banknote Art Concept, a non-profit organisation founded by Senior Banknote Designer and Contemporary Artist Carlos Almenar. The Money Art currently being displayed contains a range of artworks including those of renowned artists including Antonio Natala (Switzerland), Gabriela Gonzalez Leal (Mexico), Mina Ganjizadeh (Iran) and Roberta Bissoli (Italy).
“When banknotes and coins are removed from circulation, they are either destroyed or recycled. Some artists offer these unremarkable objects a second life, reusing currency elements in creative composition and reinventing their purpose from economic symbols to symbolic art works,” says Carlos.
Students who have visited NPA recently have been amazed by the array of styles and techniques showcased by these artists. The current display includes drawing, painting, paper money folding (moneygami), cutting, collage, embroidery and stitching.
“The Money Art movement is growing,” says Carlos. “Artists or creatives involved in creating art with currency elements are using their talent to either communicate powerful messages or simply share the fun of diverting money from its original purpose.”
Banknote Art Concept will rotate the art installation at least once a year, with different pieces in their collection being shown in other galleries and central bank museums around the world.
Value Beyond Currency: Swiss artist Antonio Natala’s SKIN utilises two 10 franc notes from the Sixth Series of Swiss Banknotes (1979-2000). The artwork is currently valued at more than US11,000.
Chogan in Naqshe Jahan Square by Mena Ganjizadeh 2021.
I Have a Dream by Roberta Bissoli 2023.
Pescadores III by Gabriela Gonzales Leal 2024.