Since the 1970s, Paul McCarthy has been ruthlessly critical of the
dominant value system in western societies, particularly in the United
States. His work, tinged with excess, paradox, black humour and the
grotesque, takes the form of performance, sculpture, painting, drawing,
video and photography. The American artist often appropriates
inoffensive icons or figures of political or artistic oppression.

Five bronze heads
called Captain Dick Hat, Dick Eye, Shit Face, Pot Head and Jack, compose
a parody of the obsession with the power and dominance of America, in
both military and sexual terms (two major themes of his work). The
sculpture, designed at the time of the invasion of Iraq, plays with
notions of virility and masculinity.