Madonna’s joy at artist’s parody of ‘beastly’ Trump triggers hot debate
IT WAS painted in a small village on the Black Isle and parodies the man about to become the most powerful person on the planet.
But Scots artist Michael Forbes’ painting of Donald Trump as King Kong has sparked a fierce worldwide debate after it was shared online by pop superstar Madonna.
Michael Forbes, a surrealist pop artist based in Conon Bridge, unveiled his latest painting portraying the Material Girl singer Madonna as the Statue of Liberty with an ape-like Mr Trump sitting on top.
Madonna is holding a torch with the sign “Not My President” while Trump Kong menacingly cradles a woman representing “the popular vote” while being harassed by Superman.
Trump will be inaugurated tomorrow after winning over the most US states in November, but his opponent Hillary Clinton won nearly three million more votes overall.
Madonna shared the photo on all of her social media outlets with love heart and stars and stripes emojis, writing: “Superman to the rescue.”
In a nod to her feminist fans who objected to her praise of the masculine superhero, she amended her Instagram account with “...or Superwoman”.
Her Facebook post has more than 60,000 likes, her Instagram post more than 40,000 likes and the picture has been liked over 3,000 times on Twitter.
Forbes thanked Madonna on Twitter, saying he was “totally thrilled” by her endorsement, but her admiration has divided her other followers.
Writing on Facebook, Amy Lynne Adams said: “Madonna for President in the next election.”
But Robert Fatta wrote on Facebook: “Go back to England.
“Why do you Hollywood types think we care and want to hear your thoughts.
“Act and sing. Then be quiet.”
Jordi Snoeijer wrote: “What a stupid picture Madonna! I love you as an artist but you gotta stay out of politics!”
Forbes counts comedian Ricky Gervais and former Monty Python cartoonist turned director Terry Gilliam among his collectors.
He is part of the Tripping Up Trump movement, which protested against the building of Trump’s golf resort at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire.
The artist painted a mural on a barn of a farmer, also called Michael Forbes, who refused to sell land to Trump for the golf course.
He describes his paintings as “an extraordinary visual record of thoughts and dreams, often journeying into the subconscious”.
His work is currently on show in New York at Pop Gallery in Manhattan, where he regularly exhibits with artists better known for their music, such as Ringo Starr, Ronnie Wood and most recently Bob Dylan.
Last year he was the first artist to have a private exhibition of his work at The Club at the Ivy in London, taking over the top floor.