Famed for his grotesque mutations of carnivalesque scenes, American artist, Paul McCarthy, has spent seven years working on his latest spectacle, 'Pig Island', and the results are characteristically depraved.
On show at the recently unveiled Palazzo Citterio, the giant sculpture is a kind of treasure island in reverse, on which the shipwrecked characters indulge their appetites for violence, sex and fast food in a moment of wild abandon. It's a 100 sq metre microcosm of some of the themes that have occupied his career - his obsession with the body, sexuality and power.
Pig Island is a giant work-in-progress, developed in the artist's studio and seen here for the first time. The haphazard, theme park-like sculpture occupies the underground bunker of the Milanese palazzo - which has been abandoned for 30 years - and is the latest in Fondazione Nicola Trussardi's series of shows in historic sites in the city.
The installation is shown alongside some of McCarthy's earlier works, including 'Dreaming' - a life-like sculpture of his semi-naked self - and 'Caribbean Pirates' - a parody of the movie industry.
Despite the violence and excess, there's enough humour in McCarthy's work to save it from gratuitous exhibitionism. While certainly warped and somewhat disturbing, the scenes he creates are closer to Disney cartoons than S&M dungeons - and the face of George W. Bush popping up on Pig Island is sure to encourage a few sniggers.
The ’Pig Island’ installation grew over several years in his studio. Image courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth
The ’Pig Island’ installation by Paul McCarthy in situ at Palazzo Citterio. Photograph by Marco De Scalzi, courtesy of the artist and Fondazione Nicola Trussardi.
’Pig Island’ by Paul McCarthy, 2003-10. Image courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth
’Pig Island’ by Paul McCarthy, 2003-10. Image courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth
’Dreaming’ by Paul McCarthy, 2005, in situ at Palazzo Citterio. Photograph by Marco De Scalzi, courtesy of the artist and Fondazione Nicola Trussardi.
’Caribbean Pirate (Pirate Party)’ by Paul McCarthy and Damon McCarthy, shown at Palazzo Citterio. Photograph by Marco De Scalzi, courtesy of the artist and Fondazione Nicola Trussardi.
’Caribbean Pirate (Pirate Party)’ by Paul McCarthy and Damon McCarthy, shown at Palazzo Citterio. Photograph by Marco De Scalzi, courtesy of the artist and Fondazione Nicola Trussardi.
’Caribbean Pirates (Pirate Party)’ by Paul McCarthy and Damon McCarthy, 2005. Photograph by Ann-Marie Rounkle, courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth
’F-Fort Party’ by Paul McCarthy, 2005. Video still courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth
’Static (pink)’ by Paul McCarthy, 2004-09, in situ at Palazzo Citterio. Photograph by Marco De Scalzi, courtesy of the artist and Fondazione Nicola Trussardi
’Ketchup Sandwich’ by Paul McCarthy, 1970, in situ at Palazzo Citterio. Photograph by Marco De Scalzi, courtesy of the artist and Fondazione Nicola Trussardi
’Black Bow Bilbao’ by Paul McCarthy, 2001-05, in situ at Palazzo Citterio. Photograph by Marco De Scalzi, courtesy of the artist and Fondazione Nicola Trussardi
’Daddies Tomato Ketchup’ inflatable by Paul McCarthy, 2001, in the courtyard of Palazzo Citterio. Photograph by Marco De Scalzi, courtesy of the artist and Fondazione Nicola Trussardi
ADDRESS
Palazzo Citterio
Via Brera 14
Milan
-
The modernist home of musician Imogen Holst gets Grade II listingThe daughter of the composer Gustav Holst lived here from 1964 until her death, during which time the home served a locus for her own composition work, which included assisting Benjamin Britten
-
This fun and free-spirited photography exhibition offers a chromatic view on the world‘Chromotherapia’ at Villa Medici in Rome, explores how we view colour as a way of therapy, and how it has shaped photography over the last century (until 9 June 2025)
-
Bike maker Canyon goes custom with a new service offering unique artist-designed framesMyCanyon is a new design service from the German racing bike specialists, with contributions from artists Elena Salmistraro and Felipe Pantone and bespoke technical specifications
