Imbue, a British artist, has taken a bold stand against the cost-of-living crisis and the power structure of money in the U.K. by shredding over £1 million ($1.3 million) in cash to create a provocative collection of money-filled skulls. This unique artistic protest is featured in the exhibition titled “Death + Taxes,” which opens today adjacent to the Bank of England in the City of London as part of London Gallery Weekend.
Imbue, known for his wry commentary on contemporary society, presents a new body of work that explores themes of capitalism, religion, and the financial system. The exhibition’s highlights include 12 resin skulls in human size, each filled with shredded currencies in British pounds, U.S. dollars, and Euros. The artist has chosen not to disclose the sources of the cash used for the skulls, but it is known that organizations like the Federal Reserve release shredded money for artistic and commercial purposes, as well as souvenirs, when the currency becomes worn or damaged. Additionally, the show features a series of seven 24-karat gold-plated packages of Freddo chocolate bars, satirically commenting on the staggering inflation in the cost of everyday objects. The price of the beloved frog-shaped Cadbury chocolate bar, often used as an indicator of inflation trends in the U.K., has increased by 400 percent since its introduction in the 1990s.
Against the backdrop of a worsening post-Brexit economy, the exhibition prompts visitors to question how far the situation can deteriorate. The U.K.’s inflation rate reached its highest point in 41 years in October 2022, peaking at 11.1 percent. Although it has slightly eased, it still stood at 7.8 percent in April. The soaring prices of energy and food have exacerbated the cost of living crisis, according to Imbue. Brexit is another prominent theme of the show, with the installation piece “Brexit Bill” showcasing a receipt printer that continuously prints the real-time costs and financial consequences of the U.K.’s departure from the European Union. Visitors can also have their financial futures predicted by a Victorian fortune-telling machine, while an installation depicting a “bleeding ATM” symbolizes the economic struggles faced by ordinary people.
The decision to stage the exhibition in a pop-up space next to the Bank of England, rather than a traditional art gallery, serves to underscore the exploration of money-related themes, according to the artist. The City of London, the historic financial district of the U.K. capital, has long represented a symbol of special status and power over ordinary citizens.
Although the exhibition’s installation pieces are not available for sale, related editioned works, including the skulls (limited to an edition of 50) and the golden Freddos (limited to an edition of 100), will be offered for sale on the artist’s website 48 hours after the exhibition opens. The prices for these editions range from £95 ($119) to £1,000 ($1,253). The exhibition will run until June 11, inviting visitors to engage with the thought-provoking artworks and contemplate the pressing issues surrounding the cost of living and the monetary system.