Claes Oldenburg is one of the most recognized and decorated public artists in the world. His iconic work typically features large-scale replicas of everyday objects. One of his best known and most photographed works is the Spoon Bridge and Cherry located at the Walker Art Center’s sculpture garden in Minneapolis. The work was conceived in collaboration with his wife, Coosje van Bruggen, who was credited with placing the cherry on the end of the 50-foot-long spoon. Oldenburg’s career has gone through many stages, but in 1981, five years after their marriage, he began signing all his work with both Bruggen’s and his signature. Bruggen passed away in 2009. Bruggen was not Oldenburg’s first wife nor his only intimate collaborator.
His first wife, Patty Mucha, was an artist in her own right. She became one of Oldenburg’s nude models, reportedly helped fabricate many of his “soft sculptures” and performed in many of his art “happenings.” Later Oldenburg had a relationship with feminist artist, sculptor and photographer Hannah Wilke, who died in 1993. Creative collaborations are tricky and delicate affairs … without intertwining them with an intimate relationship. Most of Oldenburg’s awards and accolades do not acknowledge these collaborations, which highlight how the art world viewed these women and their contributions. Although it appears Oldenburg was working to correct some of these biases, Bruggen is sadly still not on equal footing with her male co-author and collaborator.