Money & Matter

Fatimah Tuggar
2002
Inkjet Print

"Money & Matter" is a series by Nigerian artist Fatimah Tuggar, born in 1967. This series consists of nine images that delve into the dynamics of human capital, exploring the relationship between money and life's essence.

Tuggar employs technology to reflect on history, desire, fear, and the tension between the power of money and the core elements of life. In her series "Money & Matter," Tuggar uses technology as a metaphor for power dynamics, exploring the impact of media on both local and global realities. The series comments on diverse histories, journeys, and materials in human experiences. Symbols and expressions of money within the series relate to what people desire and fear, and the tension between money's power and elements of distraction versus life's essence forms the core of the series.

Tuggar's work often merges African and Western scenes to question power dynamics, using collage to reflect on gender, race, technology, and global identity. Her art challenges simplified narratives and deconstructs Western perspectives, reimagining Black women in traditionally White domestic spaces.

The "Money & Matter" series is a part of Tuggar's broader artistic practice, where she critically examines technology's impact, unveiling the intrusion of colonialism and disrupting traditional norms. She skillfully creates contrast by juxtaposing narratives, generating tension between Eurocentric concepts and ancestral heritage. Through this, Tuggar's work invites viewers to question established power structures and consider the complexities of cultural identity and heritage in the context of a globalized world.