scott campbell: paved with good intentions

(above) ‘sucker’, 2011, cut uncut US currency sheets, 53.3 x 63.5 cm
image © scott campbell, gallery reis

scott campbell: paved with good intentions
gallery reis, singapore
january 13th to february 29th, 2012

organized by gallery reis in singapore, new york-based visual and tattoo artist scott campbell shows his most recent work in a solo exhibition entitled, ‘paved with good intentions.’ using sheets of uncut american currency as his canvas and medium, campbell superimposes the iconography of tattoo subculture by carefully cutting away the surface, creating a sunken relief effect when the sheets are stacked together. 

‘teddy bear’, 2011
cut uncut US currency sheets
53.3 x 63.5 cm
image © scott campbell, gallery reis

the resulting artificial topography carves out various forms – a smiling teddy bear to cheeky phrases done in cursive – producing a surreal pop-up effect to the backdrop of dollars. the monetary sheets, which were sourced directly from the united states mint, become secondary to the highly intricate and detailed incisions.

‘teddy bear’ – detail
image © scott campbell, gallery reis

‘frontal skull’, 2011
cut uncut US currency sheets
106.7 x 127 cm
image © scott campbell, gallery reis

‘pearls before swine’, 2011
cut uncut US currency sheets
106.7 x 127 cm
image © scott campbell, gallery reis

‘good luck with that’, 2011
cut uncut US currency sheets
106.7 x 127 cm
image © scott campbell, gallery reis

‘ornamental 8’, 2011
cut uncut US currency sheets
106.7 x 127 cm
image © scott campbell, gallery reis

‘ornamental 8’ – detail
image © scott campbell, gallery reis

via arrested motion