private eye/public face: currency design and the work of ootje oxenaar

Dawn Barrett, professional and life partner of Ootje (RDE) Oxenaar (1929–2017), will present an overview of his work, including anti-counterfeiting devices in banknote ­design and contextual history of Oxenaar’s postage stamps, posters, and book designs.

Ootje Oxenaar was responsible for the revolutionary design of the Dutch paper currency (1964–87), including the 50 guilder ‘sunflower’ and 250 guilder ‘lighthouse’ banknotes which were internationally celebrated as the most beautiful and least counterfeited money in the world. Oxenaar banknotes stayed in circulation in the Netherlands from 1964 until being replaced by the Euro in 2002.

Oxenaar was a prolific illustrator and designer of acclaimed books, postage stamps, and posters. His work is represented in various collections, including the centre national d’art et de culture Georges-Pompidou Paris, Gemeentemuseum The Hague, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) New York, and Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam. Oxenaar was knighted in the Order of Orange Nassau, was the recipient of the Medal of Honor for Art and Science in the House Order of Orange bestowed by HRM Queen Beatrix in 2004.

Dawn Oxenaar Barrett is an educator, consultant, and strategic advisor with 30 years of experience in visual arts, organization design, and higher education leadership. ­Barrett has served as President, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Dean and Professor, Rhode Island School of Design, Head of the Department of Design and Tutor, Jan van Eyck Akademie. She is currently a Research Fellow at the Archives of The Dutch ­National Bank, Amsterdam.

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