2017-09-15 Fri

Everyone around the world doesn’t marvel at the bank notes in their pockets because they are plain and don’t possess an attractive feature. However, some do. And they are the ones who mostly collect notes. Then there are others who write about notes and put their focus on the design. Bank notes and coins often carry the task of ambassador for their respective countries when taken outside their borders, and governments are well aware of this. Symbolism plays an important part in the design of the notes; some depict strength, artistry, culture, national pride and some honour famous personalities. However, one talented artist has concentrated on the framework of bank notes to use in his own artwork, and has done so admirably.

Contemporary artist Santiago Montoya has creatively designed bank notes. Utilising their colour, design, and patterns, he has created larger designs and familiar motifs using elements of specific bank notes.

As a collector of bank notes, what immediately catches the eye are the more familiar ones. Yet in addition to those U.S. dollars and Chinese renminbi are the more obscure notes issued in such countries as North Korea, Brasil, Cuba, Indonesia, or Latvia.

A bank note enthusiast can derive great joy by viewing these pieces from the standpoint and identify the many notes used in a particular display or work.

Montoya is a man of action and uses specific notes to achieve the desired outcome, especially for a composite of a more familiar image, and this is most apparent with his creation of world maps. Being creative and achieving the desired result required repeated contextualising, the amassing together of notes of a particular colour, and the addition of the element of gradient colour shifts—form a unique and innovative concept. This conjures new images of many already familiar designs or sights, such as flags, maps, or portraits.

Montoya’s exhibition in London ran exclusively from 9th to 12th February. By using cliché titles and imagery, Montoya uses humour to explore socio-political issues and complex topics.