Why are presidents and political activists the only people who tend to get recognition on national currencies? In a series called American Iconomics, artist James Charles explored what our money might look like if it was dedicated to the cultural icons and characters who have shaped America’s, and the world’s, cultural evolution.

With what must have been incredibly careful and painstaking ink work, the artist incorporated the familiar presidents’ faces into his new creations, until their original faces are almost lost in their new identities. Even the text at the bottom of each (real, authentic) bill is altered to carry a message together with his portrait.

More info: shootinggallerysf.com (h/t: dangerousminds, gizmodo)

Facehugger

Pinhead

Captain America

Ronald McDonald

Salvador Dali

Yoda

Kiss

Albert Einstein

Jesus

Jack Nicholson

Marilyn Monroe

A-Team

Princess Leia

The Exorcist

Spock

Tinman

Walt Disney

Frankenstain

Andy Warhol

Pulp Fiction

Clint Eastwood

Frida Kahlo

Terminator

Hugh Hefner

Jimi Hendrix

KFC