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JSG Boggs, Counterfeit ArtA mastercraftsman and forger who challenges our perceptions of moneyJ.S.G. Boggs is an exceptional conceptual artist and master forger who has fallen on hard times.
When is forgery and counterfeiting not illegal? When it is art. Although the United States Treasury Department has very strict and serious laws about the counterfeiting of currency, there is one law that is above them that they seem to recognize and that is the artists freedom of expression. J.S.G. Boggs (born Steve Litzner) is most famous for his hand drawn, one-sided United States bills that he then exchanges for goods and services just like real money. Boggs' drawings show the hand of a master draftsman so much so that he has been arrested for his counterfeiting in England and Australia. Boggs was acquitted in both cases on the grounds that he was creating art and not forging or counterfeiting currency and trying to pass it off as such. But Boggs’ creations are as elusive as his philosophy about the art he creates. Boggs does not consider the drawn bank notes as money and they are commonly referred to as Boggs Notes, Boggs Bills, and Boggs Dollars. Boggs considers the art part of his work when he exchanges the bills, receives change, and receipt and goods. The artist is then willing to sell the receipt, change and goods as the art, not the original bill. If an art collector wants a hand drawn Boggs Bill they will have to track down the lucky recipient themselves. While Boggs art work could be considered hard to collect and esoteric he is taken seriously by the art world. The proof? His art work is in the collections of the British Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Smithsonian Institution. And now, Boggs has fallen on hard times. He was arrested in February 2007 in Tallahassee Florida on charges of amphetamine possession and paraphernalia possession and is unable to make his bond. A quick phone call to the Tallahassee Jail in Florida reveals that our friend Boggs is still in jail and doesn’t have a court date. If you are concerned in any way for the future of this brilliant artist, I urge you to contact JSG Boggs through: JSG Boggs c/o the Leon County Jail PO Box 2278 Tallahassee, Florida 32316 The only materials that Boggs is allowed to be sent are money orders and religious materials. (Not even a non-religious book or cookies, I asked? No, said the lady at the Leon County Jail.) There are probably many artists in the world who struggle with drugs, success, and the law. This is a case though where we can clearly see the downward spiral of a creative individual and have a chance to lend a hand. Boggs’ artwork has enriched and improved the quality of our lives. Perhaps it is time to give back to Boggs. November 29 2007 Update: I called the Leon Co. Jail today and confirmed that Boggs is still a resident here. If you know Boggs or care about his work, please contact him at the above address to lend your support of this original American artist whose work has been collected by important museums around the world.
The copyright of the article JSG Boggs, Counterfeit Art in Art & Society is owned by Mary Rayme. Permission to republish JSG Boggs, Counterfeit Art in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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