Farmer’s pride after sign angers Trump fan
A Taranaki farmer has found himself in the national headlines after his protest against US president Donald Trump drove an American tourist to commit vandalism.
A framed photograph of Gavin Buckthought’s billboard warning that ‘Trump is President. Be afraid. Be very afraid’ was put on display at a Marlborough art gallery.
Buckthought, a South Taranaki farmer and panelbeater, was unaware his protest had become part of an exhibition by photographer Jim Tannock until he read about the picture being ripped from its spot and smashed on Tuesday.
It’s thought the culprit was a visiting American.
Buckthought has urged the photographer to rehang the picture with pride.
He put the sign up in a paddock on his property near Eltham when Trump was inaugurated.
‘‘He’s a dangerous guy. He is a worry because he could start world war three quite easily.’’
Buckthought said he was not an activist and had never done anything like this before.
‘‘I’ve got nothing against American people. I love American cars and I like America, it’s a good country. When you look at the calibre of some of the presidents they have had, they’ve had some really neat guys that did a lot for the country.
‘‘Then they end up with an idiot like this. How did that happen?’’
The sign is on a shed painted in red, blue and white stripes, and there are New Zealand and American flags flying beside it.
Buckthought and his wife, Judy, had seen many people stopping to take photos.
‘‘When I first put it up I half expected someone would have a go at it, it’s right there on the roadside. It’s been up for over 12 months and it’s not been tagged. I’m thinking the majority agree with it.’’
He was pleased to learn about the billboard’s new-found fame.
‘‘Well done to Jim Tannock. On the story I commented: ‘I am proud that you have photographed it and put it in your exhibition. Fix it up and rehang it with pride. Maybe it will appear on Trump’s fake news.’ That summarises it nicely, I think.’’
He originally painted the shed so vibrantly to help visitors find their property, which is on SH3 between Eltham and Normanby.
As well as the anti-Trump sign, the shed also houses Judy’s freerange chickens.
Tannock said he took the picture on a road trip from Wellington to New Plymouth in 2017.
‘‘It was certainly eye-catching. The fact is that people were motivated to say something. It’s certainly proven to be true, what a nut job this guy is. I think it’s fantastic. I think more people should do things like that - have their heart on their sleeve’’
He is having a replacement print made. The image was part of a wider exhibit depicting social inequality in the Western World, and the vandalism had added a touch of notoriety.
‘‘I was surprised about it because galleries are generally quite a sacred space, people speak in hushed voices, it’s very contemplative.’’
The offender had been sneaky about the damage to avoid being caught, he said.
"I love American cars and I like America, it's a good country. Then they end up with an idiot like this."
Gavin Buckthought