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Santa Claus

Santa Claus is a sculpture by Paul McCarthy, commissioned in 2001 for the International Sculpture Collection in Rotterdam. It depicts Santa Claus holding an abstract elongated object in his right hand, which the artist has described as possibly a tree, a plug, or something else. The work stirred strong public reaction because many people saw a sexual meaning in its form. After several relocations, it was placed in the courtyard of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in 2005, later moved to the museum sidewalk in 2008, and finally installed on Eendrachtsplein in Rotterdam on 28 November 2008. Another version was installed in Oslo, Norway, in 2018.

Bronze Santa Claus statue in a plaza, holding an abstract object in one hand and a bell-shaped object in the other.
The Santa Claus statue stands in an outdoor plaza surrounded by trees and buildings.
June 2020 © · CC BY 4.0
Dark metallic Santa Claus sculpture holding an abstract elongated object in one hand and a smaller object in the other.
Santa Claus sculpture in a public square, shown holding a large abstract object.
© · CC BY 2.0
Dark Santa Claus statue holding a bell and a large black bulbous object in front of a brick building.
Santa Claus sculpture standing in front of a brick building.
September 2005 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Dark Santa Claus sculpture standing in a paved square and holding a large black phallic-shaped object.
The Santa Claus sculpture stands in an outdoor square, holding a large black phallic-shaped object.
August 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
A massive inflatable Santa Claus stands on a grassy lawn holding a large pink object, with another pink object near its left leg.
A massive inflatable Santa Claus sculpture stands on a lawn under a partly cloudy sky, holding a pink object in one hand.
July 2009 © · CC BY 2.0

Identification

TitleSanta Claus
Typestatue
Alternative namesLeprechaun Anal Plug; Gnomo del Tapón Anal; Buttplug Gnome

Creator

ArtistPaul McCarthy

Historical context

Year created2001
CommissionCommissioned for the International Sculpture Collection for placement in the city
Commissioned byan American artist

Location and ownership

Planned move locationVan Oldenbarneveltplaats at the head of the Koopgoot
Purchase price€280,000
Final relocation detailstransported in a colorful procession
Final move date28 November 2008
Purchaserthe Rotterdam city council
Relocation date21 August 2008
Previous locationsthe courtyard of the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum; several other places
Original intended locationoutside the De Doelen concert hall, Rotterdam
Current locationEendrachtsplein, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Temporary location from 22 September 2005the courtyard of the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum

History and restoration

Opposition to planned moveseveral entrepreneurs around the square strongly opposed it
Interview sourceDagbladet
Red version presentationPresented in Oslo, Norway in May 2018 by a man removing the cover while suspended from a crane with hooks through his skin
Another versionA second version of Santa Claus was installed in Oslo, Norway on 31 May 2018
Reason for relocationmoved due to protests from local businesses
Final decision dateJune 2008
Unveiled byMayor Opstelten
Unveiling date26 September 2005

Physical characteristics

Depicted figureSanta Claus holding a Christmas tree in his hands
Depicted object in right handan abstract elongated object
Alternative interpretation of objecta buttplug
Artist's description of objectit could be a tree, a plug, or something else

Iconography and meaning

Artist's interpretationa commentary on material consumption in the Western world and the consumer community
Controversymajor opposition because many people saw sexual connotations in the image
Nickname originit quickly received its nickname because of the sexual interpretation