The hallmark of this all-American holiday—and great for leftovers, too—the turkey was one of Pop art master Roy Lichtenstein’s trademark food images. He created this iconic Turkey Shopping Bag for Ben Birillo’s innovative American Supermarket exhibition at the Bianchini Gallery in 1964, which presented a variety of food-related art displayed alongside actual and plastic food items. Intended as advertisements for the exhibition, the Turkey Shopping Bags were sold for $12 each, along with editions of Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Can on Shopping Bag. The shopping bags were among the exhibition’s most popular items, and many visitors used them to carry their other purchases from the exhibition.
Now in MoMA’s collection, this screenprint is one of the many unique works that MoMA has been able to acquire through the incredible support of our trustees, members and donors, and other generous and enthusiastic friends. Thank you all for your generosity over the past year. I wish you a very safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.