US visitor rages over anti-Trump image
An anti-Trump photograph in a small art exhibition in Marlborough has been attacked by American tourists.
The photograph, of a sign in Taranaki saying, ‘Trump is President, Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid’, was ripped from its spot and smashed on Tuesday.
The image was part of a wider exhibit at Framingham Wines’ Underground gallery, in Renwick, depicting social inequality in the Western World.
Framingham Wines marketing manager Bridget Glackin said a group of 20 cruise ship tourists had just left the cellar gallery when staff found the photo smashed on the ground.
Glackin said she knew the exhibition would be controversial, but did not expect such a ‘‘passionate’’ response.
‘‘Our cellar door host came up the stairs and said, ‘I think someone’s made a political statement in the cellar’,’’ Glackin said.
‘‘It’s the weirdest thing, they obviously felt extremely strongly about it.
‘‘It’s not something you would expect in little old Marlborough,’ she said.’
Photographer Jim Tannock said he was not surprised someone got offended by the picture.
‘‘The image was never about Trump, but what he stands for, the political elite ... We’re living in a world that’s all about fear.
‘‘We’ve constantly been hearing about problems with Trump’s administration, and this just represents how over-sensitive his supporters are.’’
The ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ exhibition featured photographic works by Tannock, Peter Burge and Rob Jenkins and was described as ‘‘a startling look at real people living in a postcapitalist century’’.
It was intended to reveal how shared resources, once made available for the common welfare of all, were exploited by the few for their own ends, Tannock said.
Tannock’s contribution were images taken as a passenger in a moving car driving through Taranaki, which contrasted with photographs of people shopping in New York.
‘‘The tragedy of the commons was running through my mind when we put this all together,’’ Tannock said when the exhibition opened.
‘‘I think there’s neglect, full stop. A democracy is supposed to look after its vulnerable, and if it can’t do that, what kind of democracy is it?’’
Tannock and Glackin were still deciding whether or not to report the vandalism to police on Wednesday.
Tannock did not enjoy seeing his work damaged, but said he was ‘‘quite excited’’ his work prompted an emotional response.