John Reid: 'UNTITLED 1982-' 19 June-13 July 1997

Since 1982, John Reid has been making a work made up entirely of Australian banknotes. The project, designed to draw attention to the economic underpinnings of political repression - and in particular political disappearances - resulted in a three year legal battle contesting the fifty two charges laid against him by the police. This case resulted in permission under a new act of parliament to enable the cutting up of banknotes by the artist - an act otherwise illegal in Australia. The money used is that earned by the artist rather than donations or spoiled notes from the mint