Johnny Dollar – Post-pop Surrealism

"Madness of Crowds: the hype cycle" by Johnny Dollar — “Madness of Crowds: the hype cycle”

The art has been called Post-Pop Surrealism, cryptoanarchy and cypherpunk inspired art exploring themes of privacy, surveillance, copyright, hive-mind thinking, virtual-reality, and identity. Questioning humanity’s ever increasing interplay with technology whether that be digital, mechanical, pharmaceutical, or linguistic.

Johnny Dollar is obviously not my real name, but pseudonym, a handle. I sign my paintings with my real name then cover my name with masking tape and sign it Johnny Dollar. The masking tape is a form of “encryption.” The “masking tape encryption” can always be removed to reveal my real identity, and is a metaphor for the false sense of privacy that we have in this brave new digital world.

Inspired by the Greek myth of the sculptor who falls in love with a statue he created, this piece was made during the COVID lockdown period. I had recently bought a Virtual Reality headset to explore new artwork and engage with emerging VR technology and the growing “Metaverse” being built around it. However, I found myself disturbed and distraught by how easily my senses were deceived by this new “virtual” reality. Even worse, upon removing the headset, I became acutely aware—and disappointed—by my true physical reality.

A digital layer in this piece adds depth and perspective to the painting’s narrative.

Pygmalion
48 x 58 inches Acrylic on canvas with a digital augmented reality layer Inspired by the Greek myth of the sculptor who falls in love with a statue he created, this piece was… Continue reading Pygmalion
Peace Maker
16 x 20 inches Mixed Media on canvas The happy Bitcoin Bear presents a flower of peace, with the Colt 45 revolver in the background. This gun was revolutionary technology, a game changer… Continue reading Peace Maker
Crossbows and Cryptography
16 x 20 inch Mixed media on canvas “This device will bring an end to civilization” said Pope Innocent of the crossbow in the 11th Century. He was right. It helped bring about… Continue reading Crossbows and Cryptography