Ho Tam, Bottle with seal genital tonic (FC-003) (2025)

Ho Tam  
Bottle with seal genital tonic (FC-003) 
2025  
inkjet on glossy photo paper  
edition of 5  
22 x 17 inches
unframed
 
 
The phallic shaped vase is suggestive of the e ects of the popular tonic made from seal genitals.
 
The seal genital tonic is a manufactured medicine made in China, using the penises and testes of seals. Its history dated back to the 18th Century in the Qing Dynasty when the tonic was developed for the use of the Emperor. Principal e ects include stimulating male virility and improving erectile dysfunction.  e tonic is also used as a general energy booster and performance enhancer and is one of the most popular medicines Chinese athletes take.
 
As a result of the demand of seal genitals, there has been an increase of hunting for adult male seals. Currently, most of the seal hunt takes place in Nambia, with Canada following as a distant second.