While Beeple did not indicate if the artwork is for sale, he has a history of earning millions from his pieces.
Renowned digital artist Mike Winkelmann, simply known as Beeple has released a new satirical piece featuring controversial figures Andrew Tate and Iggy Azalea, both of whom recently entered the meme coin frenzy with their own coins.
Earlier this month, Iggy Azalea launched a meme coin named MOTHER, which generated significant buzz within the crypto industry, reaching a $300 million market cap.
Following her success, media personality Andrew Tate pledged his support to another meme coin, DADDY. The meme also received massive backing from fans as well as members of the crypto community. On June 13, DADDY soared 450% within 24 hours, surpassing the $300 million market cap and dethroning MOTHER.
Beeple’s Artistic Response
Less than 24 hours after DADDY’s impressive feat, Beeple responded by releasing a new artwork titled “MOTHER and DADDY”. The piece, posted on the social media platform X, depicts exaggerated caricatures of Tate and Azalea, adorned with green stock market candles and Solana tattoos.
The artwork is a contemporary reimagining of Grant Wood’s iconic “American Gothic”.
MOTHER AND DADDY pic.twitter.com/TFKiX9hMPD
— beeple (@beeple) June 14, 2024
However, in Beeple’s version, the simplicity of agrarian life is juxtaposed with the flashy world of digital finance and celebrity culture, with Azalea and Tate as the central figures embodying these contrasting themes.
Conceptual Depth and Critique
In an accompanying post on X, Beeple also unveiled a Whitepaper detailing the conceptualization of the artwork and its commentary on the evolution of American capitalism.
He explained that the involvement of Tate and Azalea in the crypto economy highlights how digital finance transcends borders, fostering economic instability and risk.
“The choice of Tate and Azalea, foreigners leveraging American platforms for influence, underscores the globalization of American capital ideals. Their involvement in meme coins exemplifies how digital finance transcends borders, fostering economic instability and risk for many,” reads the Whitepaper.
Beeple’s Market Impact
While Beeple did not indicate if the artwork is for sale, he has a history of earning millions from his pieces.
During the non-fungible token (NFT) craze of 2021, he made headlines by selling artwork for $69 million at Christie’s, making him one of the top three most valuable living artists in the world.
In October 2021, Beeple sold his first series of NFTs, with a pair going for $66,666.66 each. One of these NFTs was later resold for a staggering $6.6 million, further cementing his place in the art and crypto worlds.
Meanwhile, Beeple’s latest piece “MOTHER and DADDY” continues his tradition of using art to provoke thought and discussion, challenging viewers to reflect on the intersection of celebrity influence, digital finance, and economic risk.
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