ART TRUMPS POLITICS
Artist’s works displayed at new tower
A Vancouver artist of Mexican descent is separating politics from art so she can attend Tuesday’s grand opening of the Trump Tower to see her artwork.
Miriam Aroeste said when she accepted the commission to create art for the 63-storey tower several years ago, Donald Trump wasn’t even a candidate for the Republican party. The official opening next week of the twisting tower on West Georgia is the first of a Trump property since he was officially sworn in as the 45th president of the U.S.
Aroeste said she’ll be attending the opening because the $360-million tower has 180 of her works — her largest commission.
“I absolutely do not support or sympathize with any of his politics,” she said.
“I am not endorsing anybody. I am going there for me. I am so happy with what I created. I absolutely don’t even think of any political consequences. My intention is totally toward the art.”
Trump International Tower and Hotel has been developed by the Holborn Group.
One of the works she created is a stainless steel sculpture called Life Is On in the Trump Residence lobby. She said the sculpture is about “inclusiveness and togetherness.” She also created 179 ab- stract paintings hung throughout the hotel tower. One over the lobby is called Paths To Be Crossed.
She said while it may sound corny, she put her heart into all the works she created.
“All the work I did for the tower was intentionally filled with love and feelings of love. I wanted to present something that was esthetically beautiful that transmitted the sentiment of love and welcoming in the world that is filled with political situations and unease.”
Aroeste is Mexican-Canadian and has been in the country for 26 years. She has a studio with numerous other local artists at 1000 Parker St. in east Vancouver.
She said she has been paid for her work, but wouldn’t say how much.
Aroeste said she approached the Holborn Group CEO at an event as an art consultant. Once Holborn’s management team saw her work, they decided to hire her.
“I had an amazing relationship with the management that has absolutely nothing to do with Trump,” she said. “It was with Holborn.
“I just want to stand for what I believe,” she said. “Art is way more important than politics for me.”
Protesters are expected to congregate around the hotel at 1161 West Georgia for the opening Tuesday. At least two different protests are planned for the opening.