Discover a series of seven prints by Pussy Riot (Nadya Tolokonnikova) featuring seven male faces on US paper notes disguised anonymously in balaclavas.
A woman has not featured on US paper money in over 100 years since Martha Washington’s portrait was featured on the one silver dollar note in the 1880s and 90s. There are currently seven bills in circulation $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 – all featuring men and each one a symbol of the patriarchy.
Each screen-print in this unique PU$$Y RIOT series displays a black and white screen-printed US paper note and colour screen-printed balaclava. Each artwork arrives with a Certificate of Authenticity that is hand-signed by Nadya Tolokonnikova. A printed signature also features on each artwork, replacing the signature belonging to the Secretary of the Treasury. Other details include a customised Serial Number PR03C2023 symbolising: PR (Pussy Riot) 03 (March) C2023 (CIRCA 2023)
Proceeds will support the #CIRCAECONOMY – a circular model that funds the CIRCA free public art programme and creates life-changing opportunities for the wider creative community.
Launching on International Women’s Day (8 March – 5 April 2023) CIRCA presents a new work by renowned women’s rights activist, Pussy Riot (Nadya Tolokonnikova).
Influenced by the landmark overturning of Roe v. Wade on 24 June 2022 – an historic Supreme Court decision which had granted women the right to an abortion in the United States since 1973 – Tolokonnikova responds to the CIRCA 20:23 manifesto ‘Hope: The Art of Reading What Is Not Yet Written’. With the name Nadya or Nadezhda meaning "hope" in many Slavic languages, the punk icon sparks a global conversation surrounding patriarchy at a time when women’s rights are being challenged all over the world.
In March 2022, Tolokonnikova helped raise $7.1 million for Ukraine relief with the sale of a 1/1 NFT depicting the Ukraine flag. Twelve months later and, building on her commitment to create art that challenges existing power structures, promotes gender equality, and celebrates the diverse experiences and perspectives of women, the purple wax candle-sculpture titled Fragile Masculinity Genesis will be auctioned at Sotheby’s as part of the online sale ‘My Body My Business’ (7 – 14 March).
Nadya Tolokonnikova is a Russian musician, conceptual artist, author and political activist. She is a founding member of the anarchist feminist group Pussy Riot, and has a history of political activism with the street art group Voina. Her staunch activism in her home country of Russia saw her imprisoned in 2012 following a work of political performance art inside the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
Throughout her career she has published books, written essays, released music and fought against corruption and human rights violations. Co-founder of independent news service and media outlet, Mediazona, she has spoken before the US Congress, British Parliament and European Parliament. Awards include Time magazine, Women of the Year, 2012; LennonOno Grant for Peace, 2012; The Guardian, Best Art of the 21st Century, for 2012; The Punk Prayer political art piece, in 2019; and OutRight Action International Outstanding Award for her effort raising $7M in donation for Ukraine with the NFT Project Ukraine DAO, 2022.
EDITION SIZE
Series of 7, printed in editions of 150
DIMENSIONS
Unframed: 210 x 297mm
MEDIUM
Giclée Print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Pearl
AUTHENTICATION
Print signed (on the bill artwork)
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
Arrives with a signed, numbered (1-150), stamped and dated certificate of authenticity.
RELEASE DATE
8 March, 2023
SUPPORTING THE #CIRCAECONOMY
Proceeds from each print help support the #CIRCAECONOMY – a circular model designed to fund the CIRCA free public art programme and create life-changing opportunities for the creative community. Discover more here.
