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Look Back at Pop Art Pioneer Claes Oldenburg’s Most Memorable Works

The famed sculptor, who passed away this week at age 93, transformed mundane, everyday objects into mesmerizing large-scale works of art

By Galerie editors
Large shuttlecock sculptures on a grassy field in front of a historic building with columns under a blue sky with clouds
Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s Shuttlecocks, 1994 on the grounds of the museum The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City. Photo: Attilio Maranzano; Courtesy the Oldenburg van Bruggen Studio

A leading figure in the Pop Art movement, sculptor Claes Oldenburg has died at age 93. He became a household name through his memorable public art installations, where he transformed mundane, everyday objects into mesmerizing large-scale works of art.

Born in Sweden, the artist lived and worked primarily in New York City over his six-decade career. Specializing in both installation and soft sculpture, Oldenburg’s most iconic pieces were often made in collaboration with his late wife, and fellow sculptor, Coosje van Bruggen.

To honor Oldenburg’s legacy, Galerie looks back on some of the artist’s most legendary works.

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See Claes Oldenburg’s Most Memorable Works

Claes Oldenburg’s 1976 Clothespin at Centre Square Plaza, 15th and Market streets, Philadelphia.

Photograph by Attilio Maranzano; courtesy the Oldenburg van Bruggen Studio

Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s 1988 Spoonbridge and Cherry on the grounds of Walker Art Center, Minneapolis.

Photograph by Attilio Maranzano: Courtesy the Oldenburg van Bruggen Studio

Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s 1991 Binoculars on 340 Main Street, Venice, California.

Photograph by Attilio Maranzano: courtesy the Oldenburg van Bruggen Studio

Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s 1994 Shuttlecocks on the grounds of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City.

Photograph by Attilio Maranzano; Courtesy the Oldenburg van Bruggen Studio

Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s 1996 Saw, Sawing at Tokyo International Exhibition Center.

Photograph by Courtesy the Oldenburg van Bruggen Studio

Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s 2002 Cupid’s Span in Rincon Park, San Francisco, California.

Photograph by Attilio Maranzano; Courtesy the Oldenburg van Bruggen Studio
Tall sculpture resembling a clothespin in an urban setting with buildings in the background and a person sitting nearby.
Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture in a park with a pond, green grass, and cityscape in the background under a blue sky.
Building with giant black binoculars as an entrance, cyclist passing by and cars parked on the street under a clear blue sky.
Large shuttlecock sculptures on a grassy field in front of a historic building with columns under a blue sky with clouds
Large red and gray saw sculpture standing upright on grassy area with building and blue sky in the background.
Large bow and arrow sculpture near a waterfront park with a bridge in the background.
Tall sculpture resembling a clothespin in an urban setting with buildings in the background and a person sitting nearby.
Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture in a park with a pond, green grass, and cityscape in the background under a blue sky.
Building with giant black binoculars as an entrance, cyclist passing by and cars parked on the street under a clear blue sky.
Large shuttlecock sculptures on a grassy field in front of a historic building with columns under a blue sky with clouds
Large red and gray saw sculpture standing upright on grassy area with building and blue sky in the background.
Large bow and arrow sculpture near a waterfront park with a bridge in the background.