The World's Largest Can of Spam - Lucy Sparrow

The World’s Largest Can of Spam

When it comes to making the mundane magical, no one does it quite like Lucy. Known worldwide for her detailed felt recreations of everyday objects – from corner shop staples to entire supermarket installations – Lucy’s latest oversized project takes it to a whole new level. A GIANT can of Spam, handmade in her signature felt medium, is now permanently installed at Art Farm Iowa in the United States. But before it made Iowa its home, the giant felt sculpture underwent months of crafting and sewing.

From Studio to Sculpture

Unlike her usual life-sized works, this Spam sculpture scaled things up dramatically! Standing at an impressive 10.5 feet tall, the giant can required precise measurements and painstaking attention to detail. Made from Lucy’s signature material—felt—the label was crafted in four separate sections, each measured, cut and prepared ahead of time by Jess. Once in Iowa, the individual pieces were hand-sewn together to form the front, back, and sides of the can, bringing the iconic Spam branding to life on an impressive scale.

Here’s a photo from the early stages of construction inside Felt HQ. The Spam burger on the front of the label came together nicely, with Jess lying next to it for a side-by-side size comparison. All that was left was to sew everything together and get it packaged up, ready to ship off to Iowa!

A behind-the-scenes snap of Erin finishing the stitching on the Spam sandwich for the back of the label—every detail hand-sewn with care!

Off to Art Farm Iowa

Once the Spam can was complete, it was time for it to journey across the Atlantic to Art Farm Iowa—a creative residency and exhibition space nestled in the rural Midwest. Known for hosting unconventional art and experimental projects, Art Farm was the perfect home for Lucy’s iconic sculpture.

Lucy and Jess flew out to Iowa to install the piece and celebrate the 4th of July weekend with the Art Farm team. Alongside the ginormous Spam can, Lucy also brought a selection of life-sized cans and felt produce, which are still available to purchase over at Art Farm!

The Spam can makes its debut on American soil coming in at an impressive 6.5 by 10.5 feet. Installation underway at Art Farm Iowa!

An American Icon

Lucy’s felt can of Spam—an icon of American cuisine—is more than just an oversized tribute. Like much of Lucy’s work, it strikes a balance between pop culture and contemporary art, kitsch and craftsmanship. It playfully critiques consumerism and nostalgia, while inviting viewers into a soft, surreal version of reality.

Now a permanent resident at Art Farm Iowa, if you ever find yourself in the area, swing by and visit the Spam—and don’t forget to stop by the shop to pick up a life-sized version to take home!