Published by Thames & Hudson, London and New York. Sold with the book. Hand-signed by artist. Provenance: Christie's, Sept 2018 Private Collection, UK

Print offered in original Counter Editions packagingProvenance: Counter Editions Private Collection, UK

Provenance: Gallery Crèvecoeur, Paris Private Collection, France

Provenance: Artist Studio Private Collection, Israel Private Collection, UKAccompanied by a letter of provenance. Signed & Dated on Verso.

https://heni.com/nft/collections/the-currency/2815

"Little Girl with Balloons" by Liu Ye is a charming screenprint that captures a sense of innocence and balance. The artwork features a young girl standing on a yellow balloon while holding a red balloon, her expression calm and composed. The background is a soft, muted grey, contrasting with the vivid colours of the balloons, enhancing their playful impact. Liu Ye's characteristic style often incorporates simple yet poignant imagery, focusing on themes of childhood and simplicity. This screenprint is emblematic of his work, blending a serene atmosphere with bright, captivating elements, inviting viewers into a delicate, dreamlike world.

"Marilyn Crying" by Russell Young is a poignant portrayal of the iconic Marilyn Monroe. Rendered in a monochromatic palette, the artwork captures a moment of vulnerability, with Monroe's hand covering part of her face and her eyes closed. Young, known for his work in contemporary pop art, often explores themes of fame and tragedy. This piece is emblematic of his oeuvre, reflecting his fascination with the darker aspects of celebrity culture. The subdued tones and emotive expression mark a stark contrast to Monroe's glamorous public image, offering a deeper commentary on the pressures of stardom.

Luigi Ontani’s Prim', Mascherone, Fontana (1994) is a fantastical ceramic sculpture that blurs the boundaries between myth, self-portraiture, and symbolism. This ornate mask, adorned with an abundance of stylised eyes and crowned with botanical flourishes, evokes the divine and the surreal—recalling both classical iconography and carnival masquerade. Ontani, known for his highly theatrical and allegorical works, often inserts his own likeness into such mythic guises. This piece is quintessentially Ontani, embodying his signature fusion of art history, self-mythology, and decorative exuberance, while also inviting reflection on identity, multiplicity, and the gaze.

Luigi Ontani’s Artiglio Cartiglio (1982) is a meticulously staged photographic self-portrait that exemplifies his performative and symbolist approach to image-making. Encased within a circular, gilt frame that alludes to Renaissance tondi, the composition presents the artist costumed in a pearlescent blue suit, his face obscured by a stylised mask with serene, archaic features.Ontani holds two spiral shell-like forms to either side of the mask’s head, evoking both mythological and surrealist references—possibly echoing horns, ears, or scrolls, aligning with the title’s play on “artiglio” (claw) and “cartiglio” (cartouche or scroll). This photograph synthesises Ontani’s core concerns: the flu

This striking overpainted book cover by Georg Baselitz, titled Art Edition (Overpainted cover) (2021), transforms a traditionally functional object into a vivid work of art. Painted in bold yellow with expressive black linear forms, the piece evokes themes of fragmentation and inversion, hallmarks of Baselitz’s oeuvre. The gestural marks suggest human and organic forms in flux, echoing the artist’s ongoing exploration of identity and disorientation. This work aligns with Baselitz’s characteristic raw energy and abstract figuration, though its application on a book cover presents an unusual and compelling deviation in medium while retaining his distinctive visual language.

Yayoi Kusama's Pumpkin (RT), created in 1996, exemplifies her iconic motif of pumpkins rendered in meticulous dot patterns. The central red pumpkin, set against a black, web-like background, exudes a sense of hypnotic repetition and infinite depth, hallmarks of Kusama's work. The piece reflects her lifelong exploration of themes such as obsession, nature, and the interplay of form and void. Pumpkins, a symbol of comfort from Kusama's childhood, recur throughout her oeuvre, embodying her blend of personal narrative with universal appeal. This work is quintessential Kusama, capturing her unique vision and compulsive dedication to pattern and form.

"Red Earth" by Loie Hollowell is a striking screenprint that exemplifies her exploration of abstract forms and vibrant colours. The artwork features a series of undulating, organic shapes that emanate from a central point, creating a sense of depth and movement. The rich hues of red, orange, and brown evoke the warm tones of the earth, while the textural gradients add a tactile quality to the print. Hollowell's work often delves into themes of landscape and the human body, blending them into abstract compositions. "Red Earth" is characteristic of her style, capturing the essence of natural forms through a bold and captivating visual language.

This untitled 1973 artwork by Chico da Silva presents a vivid, dragon-like creature embellished with feathered wings and sinuous, decorative patterns. A brightly coloured bird rests atop its back, enhancing the surreal and mythical atmosphere of the scene. Overall, Da Silva’s characteristic use of bold, layered colours and intricate, wave-like brushstrokes is on full display, evoking his distinctive, folkloric aesthetic. Deeply rooted in Amazonian mythology and indigenous traditions, the composition reflects the artist’s fascination with fantastical hybrids and spiritual creatures. This piece is highly representative of his broader body of work, rich in symbolic imagination and vibrant visua

In the Line of Fire is a powerful black-and-white photograph by David Yarrow, capturing a lion mid-stride with arresting clarity and compositional precision. Shot in 2024, the work exemplifies Yarrow’s signature approach to wildlife photography—dramatic close-ups, high contrast, and emotive intensity. The lion’s direct gaze and the rising dust underscore themes of majesty, confrontation, and survival. Characteristic of Yarrow’s oeuvre, the image blends raw naturalism with cinematic grandeur, reflecting his ongoing mission to spotlight the vulnerability and dignity of Earth’s most iconic creatures through meticulously composed, large-format photography.Photographed in South Africa.