Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Paul McCarthy studied at the University of Utah, the San Francisco Art Institute, and the University of Southern California. He emerged in the 1970s as a key figure in the performance art scene, utilizing unconventional materials such as food, bodily fluids, and masks to challenge traditional artistic boundaries.

His practice spans a wide range of media, including large-scale inflatable sculptures, video, and multimedia installations. McCarthy frequently draws upon pop culture icons and historical figures, distorting them to explore themes of psychological trauma, domesticity, and the darker undercurrents of the American dream.

McCarthy remains a significant presence in the contemporary art landscape, with his works frequently included in major international group exhibitions and institutional collections. His influence continues to be recognized through his participation in thematic surveys exploring complex social constructs, such as the evolving discourse on masculinity in contemporary art.