APC ART is pleased to present a rare and historically significant example of Barbara Kruger’s iconic “I SHOP THEREFORE I AM,” executed in 1990.

Created during Kruger’s exhibition at the Kölnischer Kunstverein in Cologne, this work takes René Descartes’ famous “I think, therefore I am” and flips it into a sharp, unforgettable punch at consumer culture. A disembodied hand holds up a bold red block with white text screaming that in our world, being alive basically means shopping and buying stuff. Kruger’s classic style — striking black-and-white image cut through with urgent red-and-white lettering — brilliantly shows how late capitalism turns who we are into what we own.

Intended as everyday advertising ephemera and produced in a large initial run, most of these shopping bags ended up used, folded, creased, or simply thrown away. That makes pristine surviving examples very scarce on the market today. This one stands out in outstanding near-mint condition, with crisp text, strong colors, and clean structure that far surpasses the worn or damaged versions usually seen for sale. Right now, it is the one only ones of this quality listed in the entire US market.

A closely related version of this image lives in the permanent collection of The Museum of Modern Art, where Barbara Kruger is recognized as a major force in contemporary art for her powerful takes on power, gender, shopping, and desire. Her works are also held in the permanent collections of leading institutions including the Whitney Museum of American Art, The Broad, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Tate, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, and Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, among many others. This piece is a true cornerstone of her career — a defining work that helped turn her into one of the most influential artists of her time.

Its bold red-and-white look directly inspired streetwear culture, most famously borrowed (at first without credit) by Supreme for their iconic box logo. Kruger later hit back with her own clever limited-edition pieces that played with and flipped those same ideas.

Kruger’s work exploded from graphic design and magazines into the bigger art world, mixing fine art, advertising, feminism, and sharp cultural commentary in a way that still hits hard today. Her pieces are in nearly every major museum, and her influence reaches deep into fashion, music, and everyday culture.

“I Shop Therefore I Am” captures a key moment in Kruger’s breakthrough years and remains one of the strongest, most recognizable images she ever made. It works as both a clever philosophical jab and a mirror to our world of endless scrolling and nonstop buying — a genuine masterpiece of late 20th-century art that feels more relevant than ever.
This is a special chance to own an original Barbara Kruger piece with her most famous imagery and message, tied directly to art history and huge cultural impact. Historically important and getting tougher to find in this condition due to the disposable nature of the original format, it makes an irreplaceable addition to any serious collection.

The work is in hand in the United States and will ship immediately. A certificate of authenticity issued by APC ART will accompany the piece, guaranteeing authenticity in perpetuity.

From both a cultural and investment standpoint, this work represents an extraordinary acquisition opportunity. It captures Kruger at a pivotal moment in her career, preserved in outstanding condition within one of her most celebrated and influential projects.
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WORK DETAILS
Title: I Shop Therefore I Am
Artist: Barbara Kruger
Year: 1990
Medium: Photolithograph on paper shopping bag
Artwork size: 17 5/16 x 10 3/4 inches (43.9 x 27.3 cm)
Framed size: 24 x 19 inches (conservation framed)

PROUDLY & EXCLUSIVELY OFFERED BY APC ART.
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