a bronze santa holding a christmas tree shaped butt plug painted in red

Paul McCarthy

Santa with Butt Plug Bronze 11.4 inches

€25,000

Edition of 25

Shipping within 2 weeks

With an assembly of red bronzes, Paul McCarthy imparts a lewd lesson on the duality of an object.

From early performances to pop-up Parisian confectioners and 80-foot inflatables, sex toys and Santa Claus have a storied past in the work of seminal American artist Paul McCarthy. Short of a signature, the two belong to a perverse lexicon of icons and archetypes which McCarthy has revisited, re-invented and combined at will over the course of his five decade career. In this case, questioning the commodification of Christmas and the associations of a derided object which – in another context – might be considered a masterstroke of minimalism.

Santa with Butt Plug Bronze 11.4 inches revisits a 2001 public sculpture commissioned by the city of Rotterdam. A foam replica, created during the casting process and subsequently left to rot for five years outside McCarthy’s studio, provides the form for a new and smaller incarnation. Cracks, fissures and imperfections are preserved as testament to the artwork’s ongoing history. A sanguine finish completes the edition – heightening the fidelity of its surface and fulfilling McCarthy’s vision for his original, large-scale Santa.

For the full picture, read an accompanying journal – Butt plugs, Santa Claus & Paul McCarthy.

artist wearing a bulbous fake nose and gloves with large, sausage-like fingers – covered in paint

Paul McCarthy

1 collaboration

Paul McCarthy concocts a twisted American Dream like no other. He weaves sculpture, film and installation into exquisitely constructed scenarios. Throughout, there are nods to all corners of society – from Disney and Donald Trump, to pornography and war. In the 1970s McCarthy became known for his performances and videos. These early works launched McCarthy into the limelight where, through a process of non-stop reinvention, he’s remained ever since. Bossy Burger (1991) saw the artist smearing ketchup and mayonnaise all over himself. Painter (1995) is a 50-minute-long spoof of the art world’s underbelly.

Who else should know about this work?

Help us spread the word

Reviews from Avant collectors

Great packaging and superb frame! nice piece
Review of Actual Size
this was an amazing experience with an amazing work as the result - thank you so much for all the assistance and for such a lovely purchase experience!!!
Review of Actual Size
very professional service and great Comms throughout the process
Review of HOPE (251-375)
Had a great experience. The Avant Art team was extremely helpful throughout the entire transaction.
Review of Untitled (Hand-finished)
The packaging and care for the artwork was incredible. Thank You!
Review of Actual Size
As a longtime buyer of prints and editions I am extremely impressed with my first Avant Arte experience. The attention to quality, detail, packaging and the customer experience are among the best Ive seen.
Review of Untitled
incredibly smooth international transaction! The best of the best and look forward to future purchases together
Review of Prismatic Head Composition
Overall, a very satisfying and educational experience! I greatly appreciate the various updates during the production and shipping processes. Thank you very much.
Review of Actual Size

Discover more sculpture editions on Avant Arte

See all

Available

Frédéric PlatéusPolaris€1,468

Few left

Nicolas HoliberMask of a Woman (Green Patina)€3,750

Available

Joakim OjanenHeartbreaker (Violet)€3,500

Available

Takahiro KomuroSphinx - Kira€6,500