Paul McCarthy

Luhring Augustine Gallery, New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above

This work is in very good condition. The crate exhibits evidence of wear and stickers have been applied to the surface which are consistent with the artist's working method. The cabinet, chess board panels and chess pieces exhibit evidence of wear and handling. The dimensions of the crate are 29 3/4 x 54 x 53 1/2 in. The dimensions of the cabinet are 35 x 66 x 12 in. The dimensions of the chessboard are 1 1/4 x 40 3/8 x 40 3/8 in.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

"Bacchanalian chaos" has been used to describe the art of Paul McCarthy. His unconventional scenes with unexpected objects navigate a fine line between the haunting and the hilarious. However, this is not the work of a simple provocateur. Rather, his art  poignantly critiques  the traumas of our consumer-based society (Exh. Cat., Stockholm, Modern Museet, Paul McCarthy, Head Shop/ Shop Head, Works 1966-2006, 2006, p. 9).

Kitchen Set, 2003, is from a series of seven works where McCarthy removed appliances and furniture from his own kitchen and used them as the backdrop for the chess-game. However, in McCarthy's universe, the normally stoic chess pieces have been replaced by a random assortmant of domestic accoutrement , one conspicuously adorned with his trademark sexual device. With other thinly veiled allusions to gender roles, McCarthy creates an unexpected scene where societal stereotpyes are given new meaning.