Dollar

Meet my new Dollar Collection: The Essence of Art and Life

I am always attracted to art that looks simple, that you don’t stumble over but that touches you directly. Few colors, loose lines or just tight contours – that is what makes my heart beat faster. Old black and white comics like Garfield and Peanuts (Snoopy) have a nostalgic appeal to me, just like the elegant complexity of calligraphy. Simple, but never superficial. It is precisely those elements that reveal a deeper layer: the essence.

In my daily activities I often follow my feelings and inspiration. Recently I watched an art documentary in which an artist spoke about that essence. How Picasso captured the essence of a person, how Morandi brought a still life to life with simplicity, how Andy Warhol embodied the essence of pop culture with Marilyn Monroe. Keith Haring did it with straight lines that combined playfulness and depth.

My dream has always been to create an icon that will serve eternity. Think of the Gubbels teapot, the smiley, or the HOPE poster by Shepard Fairey. These kinds of icons don't just happen; they are the result of a lot of making, a lot of trying, and always staying in motion. With Grrrouch the Cat, my Bored Bears, Andy the Dandy and the Robonoid I have made quite a few attempts. But does it capture the essence? No, not quite yet. Until last night.

What is the essence?

What is the essence in the world? In the art world? In my world? The answer came like a flash of lightning: money. Money. Cash. And what symbol represents money more strongly than the dollar sign? The $ sign is universally recognizable and evokes a different feeling in everyone: envy, hate, apathy, status, power, love, fear, tension, eroticism.

There is no other symbol that evokes so many emotions. Especially for a commercial artist like me. For me, money means freedom. The more money, the more freedom. But money also stands for fear – the fear of being left empty-handed, dependent on the whims of AOW, the government, or insurers.

The Dollar Collection by Hans Breuker

My new Dollar Collection is all about this powerful symbol. The dollar sign is the common thread, but the collection goes beyond superficial interpretations. I use the sign to play with contrasts and emotions. Think of raw lines versus straight surfaces, minimalist compositions with an explosion of color, or monochrome designs that find their strength in simplicity.

The dollar sign is great for me to make. Every shape gives a different feeling, every color, repetition or austerity a different work. Big or small. Light abstract, calligraffiti style or just tight pop art. The collection makes the dollar sign even more interesting for me. The symbol offers endless possibilities to experiment and discover new meanings.

The collection explores what money means to all of us – whether it evokes freedom, power, excitement or fear. Each artwork in the collection invites you to consider your own relationship with the $ sign. It is a celebration of the essence of our modern existence.

A Look into the Future

With this collection I hope to come one step closer to my dream: creating an icon that is timeless. Art that is not only seen, but also felt and understood. The Dollar Collection is for me a reflection of my own search for freedom, meaning and the essence of life. I invite you to join me on this journey.

Check out the Dollar Collection on my website and let me know: what does the dollar sign mean to you?