I started my artistic path with graffiti which gave me a voice within a public, urban environment.
I took this voice, nobody gave it to me.
I never destroyed or tagged on private property, as it never made sense to claim somebody elses to be mine. Over the years I developed my art and transformed it to paper and canvas.
In 2017 I challenged my ideas and found that there is a bigger story in banknotes than any other story ever told - what money actually is.
Somebody tells you how much it’s worth. So it was clearly as unbelievable for me as believable. My first series, “To Cut a Long Story Short“, was exhibited, and all my artworks were painted on my handcrafted banknote paper.
During conversations, I was looking for answers, and Bitcoin was presented to me as another story. I looked into it, and after reading Satoshi’s whitepaper and visiting Bitcoin conferences, I found a much greater story, and a better answer to express into my artwork. I kept the banknote paper as my medium, and dedicated my efforts to spreading this story. It benefited me in so many ways as I met beautiful minds both online and in meetups.
I truly believe that we live in parallel societies, and it will take time and effort to connect these. I want to be part of the Bitcoin movement, and contribute through an artistic voice.
Bankgrenade
It’s a futuristic artwork as it can be viewed in so many ways. Obviously my view is that fiat banknotes and the money system behind is a ticking bomb, and doomed to fail us. But I also like another view, to see it as fossiled relics from bankers who tried to use it as ammunition against Bitcoin. Thats what art can be...fair, regardless if you are good or bad.
Silkroad
I wasnt around, or used the Silkroad in its days. But as I found a liberating voice in graffiti, I always viewed the silkroad as a free platform. An honest platform. The logo stuck with me, as it symbolizes a slow, but progressive connecting vehicle in a fast, disconnecting modern world.
BTC Logo
It’s a unique commission painting for a wonderful collector, who I deeply respect and admire. I’ve never met him in real life, but our belief in Bitcoin connects us. So the symbol is not just a symbol for a currency, or a store of value or however you want to call it. For me its a symbol of union.
RYR is a german artist who initially started out on the streets, where he was honing his artistic skills through graffiti painting. Before long, he made a bold decision to move into the studio where he continued to explore his creative interest in contemporary mediums, resulting in an art form.
RYR makes his artworks out of Fiat banknotes – handcrafted paper made of cellulose and shredded banknotes from around the world. Since 2019 RYR expanded his artistic outlet through RYR STUDIO where he works with associates on design and apparel.