Artist whose work is confusing: Paul McCarthy

Paul McCarthy is a contemporary artist whose works' main focuses include satirical and critical analysis of media and modern times. His work confuses me because there doesn't seem to be a real message besides disturbing the viewer with the intensely violent and over-sexual subject of his work. His choice of using sauces and food as a medium instead of paints is also quite confusing. Since much of his work is also performance art, the videos in which he simply flings sauce around and vomits also confuse and disturb me.

Grand Pop 1977

Overall Impression:
My impression of McCarthy is that his work is meant to disturb and reveal the inner psyche of American society. He makes his viewer experience exactly what he perceives of the world around him, more often than not using uncomfortable situations and scenery to alert the viewer of the taboos which McCarthy does not seem to mind breaking. I'm not particularly fond of McCarthy's work because I think the extent to which he goes to show his disapproval of American society is too extreme and could be done in a way that does not disturb his viewers as much.

Complex Pile

Santa Butt Plug

The Saloon

Heidi, Midlife Crisis Trauma Center

Closing Thoughts
McCarthy's work is created to bring the audience to the realization that the way the eye views something and the way the brain interprets it are completely different and parallel the way society wants us to think. The taboos that Paul breaks with his artwork are done to show his disdain with the American culture and the way they perceive and represent media and life. 

Sources:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_McCarthy
• http://archive.newmuseum.org/index.php/Detail/Occurrence/Show/occurrence_id/366
• http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/paul-mccarthy