A 2.5-metre golden statue depicting U.S. President Donald Trump naked was unveiled inside the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday, October 6, drawing attention to the intersection of political power, art and the international order.
Titled “The Orange Plague”, the sculpture was created by Danish artist Jens Galschiøt. The work portrays Trump holding a golf club and a set of scales representing justice while sitting on the shoulders of a smaller male figure.
According to Galschiøt, the smaller figure symbolises weaker countries and societies bearing the weight of more powerful states. He said the figure could also be interpreted as representing the European Union.
The artist drew inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen’s famous tale “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, using the sculpture to explore themes of political power, illusion and the principles underpinning the rules-based international order.
The work is also known as “King of Injustice” and was brought to the European Parliament at the invitation of Danish Member of the European Parliament Per Clausen.
Its display in Strasbourg places the provocative artwork within one of the European Union’s key political institutions, where it is intended to prompt discussion about the balance of power between major states and smaller countries.
The sculpture is scheduled to remain on display in Strasbourg till this Thursday, October 8.
The unveiling has generated interest because of its deliberately provocative depiction of a major political figure and its use of satire to raise questions about power, justice and international relations.
