I recently shredded years of old bank statements and recycled some of them into these statements of the different hands in economics, trade and giving.
Open handed (right)
Using an outline of my right hand traced onto cardboard, I built up the sculpture, gluing individual strips of shredded bank statements. The right hand is light weight, but firm.
Depending on your politics, you might see those on the political right as tight fisted and money grabbing, but instead I have portrayed the right as open handed, giving and receiving, serving each other. Not a hand out begging, but lending a hand to mutually help each other.
Cardboard from globe box as substructure 
Bank statement strips glued to card 
Covering more of the palm of the hand 
Covering more of the back of the hand 
Open palm. Is it waving? 
Back of the hand. Is it beckoning? 
Open handed detail 
Overflowing with coins
Tight fisted (left)
I pasted individual strips of shredded bank statements on my closed left fist and then carefully removed the sculpture and filled the hollow fist with more shredded bank statements before applying further strips to the outside. The left hand is heavier but softer than the right.
Again, depending on your politics, you might see those on the political left with an open hand sharing the wealth and giving to those in need. Instead I have portrayed the left as a fist, raised in angry defiance. Grabbing for money and power at the expense of others.
Raised fist 
Fist rising 
Grabbing 
What is the fist concealing? 
Punching? 
Detail
The invisible hand
Between the two hand sculptures is an invisible hand. In economics, the invisible hand is a metaphor for unseen forces that move the free market economy. We cannot see what the invisible hand is doing. Perhaps it is open handed, perhaps a closed fist, perhaps something in between giving a rude gesture.
The Bible has a lot to say about money. This verse is apt.
‘But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. ‘
Matthew 6:3 NLT
