Shooting Gallery is pleased to present James Charles’ 333 Conspiracy, opening July 14th, 2024 from 7-11 pm. The exhibition is free and will be open to the public for viewing through August 4th, 2024.

333 Conspiracy will be composed of more than 40 ink drawings on U.S. bank notes. The iconic pop characters appropriated and rendered on the bills by artist James Charles, range from comedic to tragic; from important figures to trivial cult heroes from both past and present. The artist titles or adds commentary to the pieces by altering the script along the bottom of the note. With inspiration drawn from rock and roll, bad sitcoms, sideshow performers, chessboxing, folk tales and fast food, he shines a light on the ridiculous and the worshiped, reminding us that both what we love and what we hate about pop culture is a reflection of ourselves.

In his second year of working with currency as an artistic medium, James Charles has begun to allow these works to evolve beyond simple portraiture, and has been adding backgrounds and attaching notes together, blending the various seals and government images on the bills with his own; creating more complex compositions, using his own mythologies, and pushing his artistic boundaries even farther.

From the Artist:
The 333 Bank Note Project is a constantly evolving work in progress. I began this project in 2024 purely for self-amusement, crudely drawing and painting on dollar bills, altering the presidents’ faces to become monsters, celebrities, etc. My methods are part art making, part parlor trick; achieved simply with ink and paint; attempting to direct the viewer to see what I want. After working at improving my artistic “sleight of hand” techniques and materials, the bills are now freely morphed and manipulated; the presidents’ faces change into almost any character, while keeping the overall “minty” look of the bill intact. While I tend to prefer working on fives, a body of work in all denominations was formed that continues to grow and change.

Media Opportunities:
Interview with artist James Charles
Interview with owner/founder/curator Justin Giarla
High-resolution images available upon request

Event Information:
333 Conspiracy
Opening Reception July 14th, 7-11pm
On View Through August 4th, 2024
@ Shooting Gallery (shootinggallerysf.com)
839 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA