Popsicle, Hamburger, Price

The work of Claes Oldenburg intrigued Charles Carpenter in the late 1950s and prompted a visit to the artist's studio. In 1961, he responded to the artist's request that he pay his $50 -per-month studio rent in exchange of a work of art. As was his custom, Carpenter had no hesitation to help a promising artist in need. They had several enjoyable conversations and visits at lunchtime when Carpenter brought sandwiches to the studio from a nearby delicatessen. He asked for a wall piece and Oldenburg made him a plaster sandwich on wire mesh in 1961. Soon afterward, Oldenburg opened his theatrical Store in the winter of 1961 and had a successful show at the Green Gallery in the fall of 1962. Carpenter purchased Popsicle, Hamburger, Price (1961-62) a work shown at the Green Gallery on one of his visits to the artist.

--Susan Larsen