Tree, Place Vendôme 2014

Paul McCarthy (b. 1945) is a provocative American artist based in Los Angeles, acclaimed for his shock‑charged performances, sculpture, and installations that confront consumer culture and societal taboos. Working across video, film, and sculpture, McCarthy transforms familiar icons—Disney characters, fast‑food motifs, consumer products—into grotesque and often comical critiques of contemporary life.

From raw performances in the 1970s to large-scale installations like WS, where he twisted the Snow White myth into a disturbing multimedia experience, McCarthy unapologetically probes themes of sexuality, identity, and power through messy, absurdist spectacle.

His inflatable works—such as the infamous Paris “Tree,” a 24 m green sculpture cheekily resembling a sex toy—entertain and unsettle, cementing his status as a fearless interrogator of cultural fantasies and taboos.

A foundational figure in contemporary art, McCarthy has exhibited globally in venues including Tate Modern, Guggenheim, MoCA, and Park Avenue Armory.