by Richard Mudariki
The unthinkable has happened: Donald J. Trump has made his return to the White House, emerging victorious as the 47th President of the United States. His re-election signals the latest twist in an already unpredictable political journey, marked by his 2020 defeat, the storming of Capitol Hill, ongoing legal battles, and now, his astounding resurrection in American politics. While I am neither a Trump supporter nor a fan of Kamala Harris, as an artist and observer, I have found myself documenting Trump’s presence and impact since 2016. For me, this neutrality is crucial - it enables me to engage with political themes as an independent voice, free from party affiliations.
Reflecting on my work, this latest chapter in American politics gives fresh resonance to my ongoing Trump series, a collection that started in 2016 when I was in the United States on an artist residency at the Fountainhead. That year, I created The Election Observer, a piece that featured an African-masked observer (me) in the midst of the U.S. election that first brought Trump to power. Another painting, Political Target, captured the spirit of the Clinton-Trump debates, with Obama holding a dartboard, a metaphor for the political targets of the time. And then there was 2018, the year of the “Trump baby” balloon flying over Paris, which I interpreted in A View from the Artist’s Studio, addressing Trump’s polarizing presence as seen by an artist abroad. My work Exit Stage Back Door from 2020, depicting Trump’s departure from the White House amidst the Capitol Hill chaos, captured a moment I thought might close his political chapter. But with his recent re-entry into office, my most recent painting, Portrait with a Bandaged Ear, feels freshly relevant; it contemplates the failed assassination attempt and hints at the turmoil surrounding Trump even now.
As an artist, my observations on Trump’s leadership naturally invite questions on democracy, media, and power, and I’m sure his return will prompt new artistic responses across genres. Trump’s controversial style has always fueled creativity, sparking movements like Artists for Kamala, which endorsed Harris with energy and high hopes—though ultimately, it wasn’t enough to secure her the presidency. His divisive persona, even after the Harris endorsement wave, makes him a lightning rod for critical artistic commentary. Artists, much like myself, often gravitate to such figures, turning politics into a visual narrative, documenting our interpretations of controversial leaders for the world to see.
But beyond the creative process, a Trump victory holds significant implications for the art market and economy. Some analysts anticipate that Trump's promised economic policies could boost the U.S. economy, potentially revitalizing the global art market. Recently, we've seen the art world tighten its belt—major auction houses like Sotheby’s have reported notable drops in profits, and market confidence has wavered. A robust U.S. economy under Trump could mean increased art sales, with collectors feeling bolder and prices rebounding, particularly in auction settings. In my view, this potential resurgence could inject new energy into the art market worldwide, re-engaging buyers who may have been hesitant during uncertain times.
One intriguing aspect of Trump's victory speech was his promise to tackle the world’s most pressing conflicts, namely the wars in Ukraine and Israel-Palestine. As artists, we’re all observers of history in the making. If Trump’s policies impact these international disputes, we’ll likely see artists documenting the unfolding narratives, capturing the human toll, and exploring themes of peace, nationalism, and resilience. This is particularly relevant now, as artists worldwide—myself included—contemplate what democracy and leadership mean in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
Today, as I unveil my political poster WINNER, a silkscreen piece inspired by Shepard Fairey’s iconic Hope poster for Obama, I find myself once again engaging with the political realm. Fairey’s work celebrated the optimism surrounding Obama’s 2008 campaign; my poster, in contrast, reflects a different kind of moment, one of divisive triumph. It’s an expression of my long-standing engagement with Trump’s political journey and a testament to the undeniable impact he’s had on us as artists.
Ultimately, the return of Donald Trump to the presidency is likely to divide opinions as sharply as his first term did. But one thing is certain: this moment provides fertile ground for artists to reflect, critique, and create. The arts have always thrived in times of turmoil and transformation, and Trump's re-election is sure to serve as a catalyst for a new wave of politically charged art. Whether we respond with hope, satire, criticism, or contemplation, our role as artists is to chronicle these times, adding our perspectives to the historical record, one brushstroke, silkscreen, or lens at a time.
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