Every few years, we lament the passing of our favourite plastic friends. Like many good friends, credit cards can be both the bane of our lives and a blessing. It's reassuring to know that there is an afterlife for credit cards.
Whether they're shredded, cut, sewn, or painted, post-expiry-date cards, in the hands of artists, take on a new life and are appreciated from a different perspective. Below, we present some of the most creative pieces of credit card art for your enjoyment.
Peggy Dembicer's hypnotic creations
The carefully placed works of Peggy Dembicer are reminiscent of hypnotic magic eye puzzles. Their effect is impressive, inviting viewers to squint their eyes and immerse themselves in the intricate designs.
Project Preapproved's commentary on the credit card industry
These mixed-media creations parody the credit card industry's tendency to inundate consumers with offers. The artist behind Project Preapproved collected and shredded numerous credit card offers received in the mail, sewing them together to create thought-provoking artworks. Even the envelopes were recycled into the pieces, highlighting the excessiveness of credit card marketing.
Project Blue by Preapproved Project
The piece entitled Project Blue, also from Preapproved Project, is made entirely of the terms and conditions inserts from Wamu credit card offers. It serves as a commentary on the often overlooked fine print associated with credit card agreements.
Brett Lider's graffiti
Captured on the streets of San Francisco by Brett Lider, these graffiti artworks by Banksy convey a sense of irony and commentary on consumer culture. While not directly created from credit cards, they reflect the societal obsession with material possessions and financial status. It's a style that's reminiscent of earlier credit card advertising.
Kate Bingaman-Burt's consumer habit drawings
Artist Kate Bingaman-Burt showcases her consumer habits through line drawings of everything she buys, including credit card statements. Her detailed drawings offer a unique perspective on the impact of consumerism on daily life.
If you have a look through her Flickr profile, is a lot. Now there’s a girl with time on her hands.
Her credit card statement line drawings are particularly impressive. Who knew they could look so good!
Barbara Hashimoto's junk mail art
Installation and performance artist Barbara Hashimoto collected and shredded all the junk mail sent to her house over one year, using the shredded material in various installations. One such piece included a month's worth of credit card bills, highlighting the overwhelming volume of financial information bombarding consumers.
Lori Merhige's sculpture
Artist Lori Merhige's sculpture, created for a college show, offers another creative way to recycle unwanted credit cards. While its meaning may be open to interpretation, it serves as a testament to the versatility of credit card materials in art.
Nir Tober's personalised credit card
In a departure from counter-cultural themes, this artist has personalised his credit card using eBoy's isometric pop art. It demonstrates how credit card companies encourage consumers to express their personality through custom designs.
Musical credit card art
For the musically inclined, simple guitar plectrums can be fashioned from credit cards in mere minutes. This creative endeavour combines musicality with entrepreneurship, offering a unique way to repurpose old credit cards.
Humorous money related art
Finally, placing humorous messages in front of ATMs adds a touch of wit to the banking experience. While it may deter impulsive spending, it also provides a moment of amusement for passersby.
