Naked Lunch Box

from the Groupie Feminism art series

Attributions

Lunchbox, thermos, original magazine cover
14 1/2” w
10” h
7 1/2” d
2022

Artist Statement

The title of my art is from a cover story written by Robin Green for the May 11, 1972 issue of Rolling Stone. The issue also featured William Burroughs, who wrote “Naked Lunch” (1959).

The cover photo by Annie Leibovitz was David’s way of shedding the teen idol image of Keith Partridge, the character he played (and resented) on the popular TV series, “The Partridge Family.” (1970-1974)

While recently researching 1970s teen pop, I watched an interview he had with Oprah (air date Feb. 12, 2008). He said the lunchbox merch for the show is in the Smithsonian’s permanent collection!

During the 1970s, males were presented the way females usually were: sexualized. The centerfold of the Rolling Stone issue is just as erotic as the cover photo. That image is held in my Groupie Archives.

David had more fans in his fan club than the Beatles - and there was only one of him. He earned more money at the height of his career than any other performer ever had. Although his sexual encounters were numerous and legend - including a dalliance with SuperGroupie, Barbara the Butter Queen - he said he felt isolated and lonely. David wanted to play a different kind of music - he wanted to play like Jimi Hendrix. A teenybopper, Bernadette Whelan (1959-1974), died at what was supposed to be his second to last concert, he was bankrupt within a few years, and he struggled with alcoholism, DUIs, and, by the end of his life, possibly dementia.

I think he felt trapped by teen idol merchandising.

David died of liver and kidney failure while waiting for a liver transplant in 2017 at the age of 67. His daughter said his last words were “So much wasted time.”