ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Paul McCarthy returns to London with rare film screenings and experimental music residency

exhibition · 2026-07-06

Hey, guess what? Paul McCarthy, the American artist, is heading back to London for a special four-day event! It’s all happening from July 9, 2026, at Rio Cinema, thanks to I-D.A Projects and McCarthy Studios. The event will showcase his video art, with films made between 1970 and 2025, including the UK premiere of his new piece, Mother (2022/25), featuring actress Lilith Stangenberg. You can also catch classics like Ma Bell (1971) and Whipping a Wall with Paint (1974). Plus, from July 10 to 12, he'll be performing at Cafe OTO in Dalston with the Los Angeles Free Music Society. It’s a fantastic opportunity to dive into his creative world!

Key facts

  • Paul McCarthy returns to London for a four-day programme from 9th to 12th July 2026.
  • The programme includes a film screening at Rio Cinema on 9th July and a residency at Cafe OTO from 10th–12th July.
  • The screening features films from 1970 to 2025, including the UK premiere of Mother (2022/25).
  • Mother is a new episode from McCarthy's ongoing A&E project created with Lilith Stangenberg.
  • The residency includes performances with members of LAFMS and Extended Organ.
  • Extended Organ was co-founded by McCarthy in 1995 with Joe Potts, Tom Recchion, and Fredrik Nilsen.
  • Mike Kelley was a member of Extended Organ from 2000 to 2012.
  • The programme is presented by I-D.A Projects in association with McCarthy Studios.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • I-D.A Projects
  • McCarthy Studios
  • Rio Cinema
  • Cafe OTO
  • Los Angeles Free Music Society (LAFMS)
  • Extended Organ
  • San Francisco Art Institute
  • University of Southern California
  • UCLA

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Dalston
  • Pasadena
  • Los Angeles
  • Salt Lake City
  • Utah
  • United States

Sources