Edward Kienholz's life-size tableau "Five Car Stud" (1969-72) depicts four automobiles and a pickup truck, arranged on a dirt floor in a dark room with their headlights illuminating a shocking scene: a group of white men exacting their gruesome "punishment" on an African American man. "Five Car Stud" is a harsh reminder of a shameful part of our history whose traces still linger. It was seen only in Germany in 1972 and has since remained in storage in Japan for almost 40 years. On the occasion of its first public showing in the United States, this volume examines an extraordinarily powerful artistic statement that has lost none of its potency. The catalogue presents essays by Roberto Ohrt and Thomas McEvilley, as well as an interview with American artist Paul McCarthy.

Critical of American society, this work addresses themes of race, religion, sex, mortality and war. It is published to accompany the exhibition of works by Edward and Nancy Kienholz at Haunch of Venison, London, 7 Oct. - 9 Nov. 2005.