Writing in Frieze, art critic Katie Sonnenborn stated that a recent exhibition "continued his nuanced critique of the condition of contemporary art-making," and that "working within the framework of the gallery, he presented a suite of canvases that cast doubt on current systems of cultural reception and consumption.
[vague] In 1994 Carpenter set up an experimental art space in London named "Poster Studio" with fellow artists Dan Mitchell and Nils Norman, among others.
Exhibitions include The Opening, Mitterrand+Sanz/Contemporary Art, Zurich (2007); Relax It's Only a Bad Cosima von Bonin Show, Galerie Bleich-Rossi, Vienna (2007) and Sounds of War, Galerie Edward Mitterrand, Geneva (2005) and Ballard in Narnia (with Richard Parry).
In 2011, Carpenter made an exhibition of paintings at Simon Lee Gallery, titled Tate Café.
Merlin Carpenter is represented by Reena Spaulings Fine Art, New York; Overdouin & Co, Los Angeles and galerie dépendance, Brussels.