MONEY TALKS: ART, SOCIETY & POWER

PAST EXHIBITION

This exhibition has now closed

9 Aug 2024 – 5 Jan 2025

Exploring the place of money in our world through different artistic lenses.

Money Talks featured more than 100 objects from across the globe, including artworks by Rembrandt, Andy Warhol, Guerrilla Girls, Grayson Perry and Bansky, and the new phenomenon of cryptocurrency and NFTs.
 

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Inside the exhibition's gallery 2 © Ashmolean Museum / Hannah Pye

 
Alongside these artworks was a range of money including Roman, Chinese and Islamic coins, Art Nouveau banknotes, and the artwork for the currency featuring Kings Edward VIII and Charles III, on display for the first time. Also on show were some of the most iconic monetary portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.
 
Weaving stories and perspectives from across the world with international objects and items from the Ashmolean's leading collections, and reflections on the place of physical currency in 2024, Money Talks explored how the everyday artworks in our pockets act as a mirror to our society.
 
The imagery on our currency has a dramatic impact on what and who we imagine is valuable.

★ ★ ★ ★

"A vivid and revelatory show throughout"

The Guardian

"Fascinating... packed with revelations and beauty"

The Times

WATCH THE EXHIBITION TRAILER

https://www.youtube.com/embed/-TBggQswqJQ?si=K_12bgOydRSkkkY7

SELECTED ARTWORKS IN THE EXHIBITION

Unicode, Tallur LN, Bronze, coins & concrete
Comfort Blanket tapestry in bright colours, by artist Grayson Perry, 2014 showing popular British symbols and slogans, including the pound sign and Queen Elizabeth's portrait
Dollar Sign large artwork by Andy Warhol in acrylic and silkscreen on canvas, dating to 1981
Black and white photo of Queen Elizabeth II (‘Equanimity’), Chris Levine and Rob Munday, 2012, Lenticular print on lightbox © Jesus College Oxford, Rosaline Wong Gallery
A Bank of Jamaica Ten Shillings bank note
Different gold pattern designs for Edward VIII coinage dating to1937 from the Royal Mint, showing the bust of Edward, a threepence piece, farthing and a half-penny
Money Dress, Susan Stockwell, 2010, International currency notes, cotton thread, canvas & mannequin frame © Susan Stockwell
Draft artwork for 50-crown note for the Austro-Hungarian Bank, Koloman Moser, 1902 in gouache & coloured pencil on graph paper
This painting shows an old man holding up a ten shilling note to the light in order to find the watermark. It's by the miniature artist Charles Spencelayh made in 1933.
Bowl set with casts of Roman coins and a medallion of Christ and the Woman of Samaria at the well, made in parcel -silver-gilt, dating to about 1500
Hand-coloured etching of Midas transmuting all into Paper by James Gillray, made in 1797
Bank notes display from Meshac Gaba, 2016 installation
Seated figure of Kubera, the Hindu and Buddhist god of wealth Tibet, 18th –19th century Gilt bronze
Bitch coin NFT showing a woman's lips inside the circular coin with gold lipstick by artist Sarah Meyohas

Please note this exhibition includes several coin designs by controversial artist Eric Gill and historic material which reflects prejudiced viewpoints.

Header images on this page: Money Dress (detail), Susan Stockwell, 2010 © Susan Stockwell + Money Talks gallery images © Ashmolean Museum / Hannah Pye

FREE ENTRY FOR MEMBERS

Members enjoy priority booking, unlimited exhibition entry, and exclusive Members-only preview days, PLUS Members-only events, our Members' Magazine posted to you twice a year, and exclusive shop, café and restaurant discounts.

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EXHIBITION VISITING FAQS

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Standard ticket

Ticket prices

£15.30
£17.00 with Gift Aid

 

FREE Entry (but booking is strongly recommended) for
  • Members & Patrons, Corporate Members
  • Under 12s
  • Carers (see 'Disabled visitors & carers' section, below)
  • University of Oxford students
  • Pupils with ASH pass
  • OU GLAM staff
  • Museum colleagues (OU Ruskin School, ICOM, UK Museums Association, NMDC members), carers

Proof of eligibility must be presented with your ticket when you visit.

 

Concession rate tickets at £14.30 or £16 with Gift Aid for
  • Senior citizens £14.30, £16 with Gift Aid
  • University of Oxford staff & alumni £14.30, £16 with Gift Aid

Proof of eligibility must be presented with your ticket when you visit.

 

Half-Price tickets available at £7.65 or £8.50 with Gift Aid, for:
  • Art Fund members
  • Children aged 12–17 years and under 25s
  • Blue Light cardholders (key workers)
  • Those who are unemployed/jobseekers

Proof of eligibility must be presented with your ticket when you visit.

 

Disabled visitors & carers

Disabled visitors should book a regular exhibition ticket at full or concession price, depending on eligibility.

Accompanying carers can access the exhibition for free with a ticket-holding disabled visitor, but should please book one of our free 'Carer' tickets for the same time slot.

 

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FOR UNLIMITED FREE ENTRY

Membership gives you unlimited access to exhibitions, as well as members-only previews, exclusive discounts in our our shop, restaurant and café, and much more.

 

 

No, but booking is strongly recommended to guarantee entry.

 

Yes. Access to the exhibition is via lift and the entire exhibition is wheelchair accessible. Handheld labels are available.

There is also a level access route from the pavement outside the Museum to the front door. You can read more about Museum access at this link Ashmolean Access Guide

Disabled visitors should book a regular exhibition ticket at full or concession price, depending on eligibility (when tickets are made available later this year). Accompanying carers can access the exhibition for free with a ticket-holding disabled visitor, but will need to book a free, timed Carer ticket.

 
For any media enquiries about our exhibitions, please refer to our Press information page.

 
Yes, you can visit our special exhibitions for FREE under the NMDC (National Museum Directors' Council), ICOM (International Council of Museums) and UK Museums Association reciprocal entry schemes.

You will need to bring proof of eligibility (Membership or Staff Card) with you on the day of your visit and present this with your ticket. Pre-booking is recommended.

Please note that these reciprocal tickets are not available to book in advance during the final two weeks of the exhibition. We cannot guarantee free entry for reciprocal status visitors during this time if there is limited capacity and the exhibition is selling out.

Part of our Change Makers season of events

EXHIBITION SUPPORTERS

Mr Barrie and Mrs Deedee Wigmore
The Patrons of the Ashmolean Museum

 

PRESS

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