Cash Only 1/2 Price

Cash Only 1/2 Price

  • Artist

    Billy Apple®

  • Production Date

    1984-1990

  • Medium

    acrylic on canvas

  • Size

    2100 x 1551 mm

  • Credit

    Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 1991

  • Accession Number

    C1994/1/355

  • Accession Date

    Apr 1991

  • Department

    New Zealand Art

  • Classification

    Painting

  • Collection

    Chartwell

  • Subjects

    text, signatures (names), advertisements

  • Description

    Billy Apple operates at the intersection of art and commerce. Posing as a blatantly mercenary dealer in cultural capital, he exposes the art industry’s machinations. Cash Only 1/2 Price advertises its own bargain status. Originally shown at Webb’s auction house, the painting remained unsold and was later
    removed from its stretcher frame after it became damaged. Apple sold the work, now a ‘clearance item’, to the Chartwell Trust at half price. However, Apple’s hard-nosed monetarism is a ruse. His work’s value remains unknown – like any other artwork, it is dependent on mutual agreement.

Exhibition history