US galleries refuse naked Trump painting

An Australian-American artist's painting of a naked Donald Trump has been refused by several US art galleries but will be shown at a gallery in London.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump Source: Getty Images

Several US art galleries have refused to exhibit Australian-American artist Illma Gore's painting of controversial magnate and Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump, whom she portrays naked with tiny genitals.

But the painting, in which Trump is seen with his arms resting on one knee, will get a showing within two weeks at Britain's Maddox Gallery in London's exclusive Mayfair district, the Los Angeles-based artist told EFE.

"It seems odd to me that with all the freedom of expression in the United States, I have to go to London to show my art," the young artist, known for her feminist creations and street-art events, said.

The work is priced at almost $US1.4 million ($A1.87 million) and Trump's campaign slogan is its name: "Make America Great Again."

Trump appears in the painting with his signature blond hair, making one of his well-known funny faces, his arms resting on one leg and with a small penis, which has been the object of much controversy, anger and jokes on social networks.

Representing the tough New York magnate with small genitals was supposed to "start a debate about gender and about why society gives so much importance to what someone has inside his pants," Illma Gore told EFE.

"You can basically be a bad person no matter what's in you pants. Your genitals don't define what kind of person you are, nor your power, nor your intelligence," she said.

When asked, the artist did not wish to name the US galleries that refused to exhibit her work.

"I don't want to name the galleries because I don't want to put them on the line of fire. They did it more for their security and because Donald Trump is taking legal action and is also inciting violence against all who don't support him," Illma Gore said, adding that she herself has received threats as a consequence.

The artist said the content of her painting has been banned on social networks Twitter and Facebook, nor can the picture be sold on the e-commerce platform eBay.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world