Author Description

"From May to October 2003 two enormous inflatable sculptures will loom above visitors to Tate Modern and those strolling along the riverbank. The first, Blockhead, revisits one of McCarthy's trademark characters, a mutant cartoon character with a Pinocchio nose emerging from its cuboid head. At 35 meters, it towers as high as the fourth level of Tate Modern. The second sculpture is named Daddies Bighead. This 16-meter high figure has a body constructed from a giant replica of a ketchup bottle. McCarthy has frequently used ketchup in his performances and installations as a stand-in for blood and other bodily excretions. Much of his work has courted controversy, dealing as it does with iconic imagery taken from childhood and popular culture combined with sexually charged and transgressive elements. McCarthy has exhibited widely across the United States, Europe and Japan, and has undertaken collaborations with artists including Mike Kelly and Jason Rhoades. His works are in numerous major collections." "A unique record of an artistic event, Paul McCarthy at Tate Modern includes a new interview with the artist, brand new dramatic installation photography, working drawings and models, and essays that will place this incredible work in the context of McCarthy's career."--Jacket.