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Ever since someone figured out that printing paper money would be a lot more practical than carrying around a bag of gold or silver, or salt for that matter, artists have been of central importance in designing currency that would be distinctive enough to represent a country with intricate style and integrity, and at the same time make counterfeiting difficult. The very first paper money, which appeared long after minted coins were standard fare, took advantage of the much larger flat surface available and displayed intricate designs celebrating the power and sovereignty of a government by portraying an engraved portrait of the head of state or a national monument. Over time, every administration around the world circulated their own paper currency, which was planned carefully to reflect the spirit of its country through bold and unique motifs.[More]

DTR Modern Galleries, April-2013

Houben Tcherkelov, known as Houben R.T., is one of the most significant contemporary Bulgarian-American artists living and working in America. His innovative artwork depicts money and explores the symbolic links between national currencies, power, and national identity. Houben R.T. renders banknotes into ‘money images’ in a colorful, visually explosive and highly textured manner, isolating them from their traditional milieu of paper money and transposing them onto canvas. [More]

Artrepreneur, Apr-14-2017