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# Art World Halloween Costumes
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/art-world-halloween-costumes/
- Published: 2010-10-28T20:10:50.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T15:37:48.000Z
- Description: We at Hyperallergic know it's close to Halloween because of all the articles giving us last minute costume ideas! Now, a slutty viking or a faux-Gaga meat dress might be fine if you're just going to some random Halloween party with a bunch of normal people. But what if you're going to that special H
- Author: Kyle Chayka
- Tags: Opinion, #image-position-hidden, Jeff Koons, Paul McCarthy, Vincent van Gogh, Wayne Thiebaud, Yayoi Kusama, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-17 09:23 (2009-2011)

We at Hyperallergic know it’s close to Halloween because of all the articles giving us last minute costume ideas! Now, a [slutty viking](http://gawker.com/5672914/is-your-halloween-costume-racist/gallery/?skyline=true&s=i&ref=hyperallergic.com) or a faux-Gaga [meat dress](http://gawker.com/5675278/nyc-steakhouse-selling-lady-gaga-meat-dress-for-100k?ref=hyperallergic.com) might be fine if you’re just going to some random Halloween party with a bunch of normal people. But what if you’re going to that special Halloween benefit at MoMA? Or trick or treating up and down Chelsea? Here are a few costume ideas that will get you street cred in the art world.

## Paul McCarthy

**Costume:** Santa Claus

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2010/10/discount-santa-claus-costume.jpg)

Image from halloweencostumes.net

**Inspiration:** Just add butt plug

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2010/10/santaclauswithbuttplug.jpg)

Paul McCarthy, “Santa Claus with a Butt-Plug” (2007)

## Vincent Van Gogh

**Costume:** Ear

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2010/10/ear.jpg)

Image from flavorwire.com

**Inspiration:** He didn’t cut you off, you escaped

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2010/10/vangoghear.jpg)

Vincent van Gogh, “Portrait of the artiste sans barbe” (1889) (image from artnet.com)

## Wayne Thiebaud

**Costume:** Cupcakes

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2010/10/cup-cake-costume.jpg)

Image from tensionnot.com

**Inspiration:** Delicious

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2010/10/hrd-wayne-thiebaud_2.jpg)

Wayne Thiebaud, “Four Cupcakes” (1971) (image from artnet.com)

## Arne Jacobson

**Costume:** Egg

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2010/10/egg.jpg)

Image from foodnetwork.com

**Inspiration:** The Egg Chair (the subtlety will make you even cooler)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2010/10/the_egg_chair.jpg)

Arne Jacobson's “Egg Chair” (image from wikipedia.org) 

## Yayoi Kusama

**Costume:** Pumpkin

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2010/10/38903-kids-inflatable-pumpkin-costume-large.jpg)

Image from costumecraze.com

**Inspiration:** Paint a bunch of polka-dots…

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2010/10/kusama_pumpkin.jpg "Kusama_Pumpkin")

## Damien Hirst

**Costume:** Shark

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2010/10/shark_costume.jpg)

Image from costume-shop.com

**Inspiration:** What is it thinking about in there?

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2010/10/hirst_shark.jpg)

Damian Hirst “The Physical Impossibility of Death” (1991) (image from artfagcity.com)

## Slutty Jeff Koons

**Inspiration:** We leave this one up to you.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2010/10/jeff-koons-made-in-heaven-suite-pop-life-_-tate-modern-london-.jpg)

Jeff Koons' “Made in Heaven” suite, installation shot (image from tate.org.uk)