“It’s about the artist and the law. I'm the artist, the square on the left is soot on a panel, representing my art; at the far end of Chambers Street there's the law – city hall, the courts, all those government buildings with Greek pillars. The razor blade represents the severity of the law, toughness.”
—James RosenquistChambers reflects the activities occurring in two notable buildings on lower Manhattan’s Chambers Street: the judicial happenings of New York City Hall and the artistry being produced in James Rosenquist’s multipurpose townhouse. Having purchased the townhouse in 1977, the Chambers Street building became Rosenquist’s primary New York residence and studio as he began firmly splitting his time between Manhattan and Florida.
Artists' rights Senate subcommittee hearing, Washington, D.C., 1974. Left to right, seated: Congressman John Brademas, Congressman Edward Koch, Senator Jacob Javits, Marion Javits, and Senator Clairborne Pell; and standing: Rosenquist and Robert Rauschenberg. NY. Courtesy of the Estate of James Rosenquist. While working in the Chambers Street studio, Rosenquist was no stranger to the other side of the block, advocating for artists’ rights and funding in the political arena. His 1974 bout with Washington, this time as a buttoned-up lobbyist this time rather than an antiwar protester, saw him attend Senate subcommittee meetings with Robert Rauschenberg to advocate for legislation regarding artists’ resale royalties. Though the amendment was ultimately unsuccessful, Washington took note of Rosenquist; in 1978, Second Lady Joan Mondale asked him to serve on the National Council on the Arts, which advises the National Endowment of the Arts. While the artist was initially worried that his prior antiwar activities and the adult magazines in his home – which he assured the interrogating F.B.I. agent were for collaging purposes only – would prevent him from participating, Rosenquist subsequently served five years on the Council.
Literature
Esther Sparks 19
Constance Glenn 173
232
Chambers (S. 19, G. 173)
1980
Lithograph in colors, on Twinrocker handmade paper watermarked 'James Rosenquist', the full sheet.
S. 29 3/4 x 47 1/4 in. (75.6 x 120 cm)
Signed, titled, dated and numbered '7/11 A.P.' in pencil (an artist's proof, the edition was 45), published by Universal Limited Art Editions, West Islip, New York (with their blindstamp), unframed.
Estimate
$800 - 1,200
Sold for $1,270
Works from the James Rosenquist Estate
New York Auction 15 February 2024
