Pepe the Frog
Pepe, created by Matt Furie, has grown far beyond its comic book origins to become a lasting symbol of internet and crypto culture. Initially adopted as a versatile meme, Pepe's playful and expressive demeanor made it a natural fit for the quirky humor of online communities.
In the crypto world, Pepe reached legendary status with the introduction of Rare Pepe trading cards on the Bitcoin blockchain in 2016, laying the groundwork for today’s NFTs and Ordinals.
Since then, Pepe has sparked endless artistic renditions, meme coins, and projects, representing everything from rebellion and decentralization to community and creativity.
Despite its controversial history, artists continue to reimagine and reclaim Pepe, using the character as a platform for humor, social commentary, and digital art innovation.
Let’s meet a few Gamma Partner Artists who have used Pepe in their creations and learn their thoughts on this memetic frog.
Clare Von Savage
Clare Von Savage discovered Pepe the Frog when she entered the crypto space in 2021. Initially drawn to the memes, she gradually learned about Pepe's deeper connection to crypto and art. In her work, Clare explores different topics and has featured Pepe in several pieces, including "MOON OR DUST," a traditional-style tattoo flash, and "SEND TO ZERO," where Pepe holds a Bitcoin Puppet. These works, she admits, aren't balanced but are heavily meme-focused, with her unique touch to align with her style.
Clare views her use of Pepe as a commentary on the character's evolution rather than a mere tribute to internet culture. For her, being in the crypto space associates Pepe with the quintessential "degen" spirit. She always linked Pepe to Bitcoin, but with the rise of memecoins and Pepe's own coin(s), Pepe became a symbol of crypto, resonating deeply with the average degen. Clare believes Pepe endures as a versatile symbol in digital art due to its roots in internet culture, where humor and coping mechanisms are expressed through memes. In the crypto space, where finance and art intersect uniquely, Pepe, the OG meme, has been reimagined and integrated into numerous projects, growing its lore over time.
Pepe-inspired projects, particularly the first Rare Pepe trading card, have influenced Clare's work. She references card number 1, transforming Satoshi into a green figure, which inspired a green pinup girl in her tattoo flash. Controversy doesn't deter her; in fact, Clare embraces it as part of her art, enjoying the thought-provoking reactions it incites.
Meme culture, Clare asserts, plays a significant role in shaping the future of digital art and NFTs. She has witnessed growth in this sector, with memes and memecoins intertwining art and finance, creating a universal language that connects people. Her artwork, like "SEND TO ZERO," uses Bitcoin as a canvas to expand Pepe’s legacy, blending memes within memes. This piece, featuring Pepe with a Bitcoin Puppet, was her most successful drop on Bitcoin, celebrating crypto culture.
Through her interpretation of Pepe, Clare hopes viewers and collectors enjoy the art and perhaps fall in love with the crypto art world, deepening their appreciation for this dynamic space.
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TheBenMeadows
TheBenMeadows views Pepe the Frog as a memetic blank canvas, representing almost anyone due to his foreign yet ubiquitous nature. As a green anthropomorphic frog, Pepe's alienness allows him to be a stand-in for both anyone and everyone. TheBenMeadows integrates Pepe into his work to add levity and absurdity to serious or dark topics. In "You Didn't Build That," a piece about what constitutes "real" art, Pepe brings humor to the discussion. In "Talk to the Duck," a fully on-chain piece about rubber duck debugging in software engineering, a Pepe-duck adds shock and visual interest, enhancing the concept of flow states and internal problem-solving.
For TheBenMeadows, Pepe is both a tribute to internet culture and a commentary on its evolution. Having been online since the early 90s and involved in blockchain since 2010-2011, he finds Pepe nostalgic yet timeless. Bringing Pepe to Bitcoin ordinals and fully on-chain Ethereum pieces feels futuristic, making Pepe a meme for the information age. He recalls Pepe’s journey from an internet meme to being deemed a "hate symbol" and then redeemed by crypto culture, making him socially acceptable again.
Pepe's enduring versatility lies in his instant recognizability and adaptability. Even when Pepe's appearance is altered, the reference remains clear, indicating the depth of the meme beyond just the stock image. The Nakamoto card influenced TheBenMeadows' piece "You Didn't Build That," featuring Barack Obama transforming into Pepe. He admires how artists like batzdu, Grant Yun, and 3PanelCrimes have adapted Pepe into their styles and narratives.
Addressing controversy, TheBenMeadows believes that controversy and art are intertwined, making it an integral part of his work. He sees meme culture as increasingly significant in shaping digital art and NFTs, reflecting culturally relevant themes in the internet age.
When using Bitcoin as a canvas, TheBenMeadows is intentional, exploring questions about the nature of art, the role of tools, and the artist's vision. His first Pepe-themed piece on Bitcoin examines the relationship between art's past and future, prompting reflection on who and what defines art.
Through his interpretation of Pepe, TheBenMeadows aims to evoke emotion and accessibility. Pepe, though not conventionally beautiful, is familiar, and this familiarity serves as a powerful vehicle for conveying messages, making art a little shocking yet universally relatable.
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Sasha Chudo
Sasha Chudo views Pepe the Frog as the main symbol in crypto meme art culture, emphasizing that memes make people laugh and feel good, which is the core purpose of her work. She blends the humorous and expressive nature of Pepe with different styles and concepts, creating a unique fusion in her art.
Chudo sees her use of Pepe as both a tribute to internet culture and a commentary on its evolution. She notes that crypto culture and meme culture are closely connected, making their integration in art seamless and effective. Pepe's enduring appeal in the digital art space lies in his viral and funny nature, with people loving the frog character for its relatability and humor.
While not directly influenced by specific Rare Pepe trading cards or other Pepe-inspired projects, Chudo draws inspiration from classic artists and art styles. Regarding the controversy surrounding Pepe, she focuses solely on her art, disregarding others' opinions during the creative process. She believes the meaning of art is subjective, leaving interpretation up to the viewer.
Meme culture, in Chudo's view, plays a significant role in shaping the future of digital art and NFTs, being a substantial part of digital and modern art. She uses Bitcoin as a canvas to expand Pepe’s artistic legacy by putting her art on-chain. Through her interpretation of Pepe in the crypto art world, Chudo hopes viewers and collectors take away a sense of love, encapsulated in the phrase, "Pepe is love."
Collect Sasha here
