“Money Moves” is a body of work which juxtaposes luxury with everyday material through contemporary money manifestation tactics reframed as fine art. “Manifestation Anthem (Blasé Blasé)” (2023) is a mixed media collage of luxury goods, rap lyrics and cheap textile on wood. This work manifests beauty and luxury in the life of the artist through the physical spell of building and moving. Similarly “$2,780.40 Mood Board” is $2,780.40 worth of product printed off of a broken down scanner on copy paper. These materials make luxury “low brow” and accessible while the action of creating a “mood board” allows the subconscious to imagine these products in your life and in your hands.
As with much of Whitaker's work there is a sense of spirituality and humor imbued. This is at the forefront in "Money Moves (2023)". Playing into hot-girl internet manifestation tactics Whitaker believes there is ritual in media consumption. While screaming a hook in your car may not be equivalent to a GameStop investment Kreyshawn had the right idea. “Go crazy, get money. Do my dance like no one saw me. Going down like no one taught me. Can't hear haters blasé blasé” is a spell for wealth Whitaker will happily claim.
Manifestation Anthem (Blasé Blasé) (2023)
38in x 36in
inkjet, tape, textile, acrylic, ink, paste on found wood
$2,780.40 Mood Board (2023)
Dimensions Variable
mixed media artist’s book: inkjet print, kitakata paper, black card-stock