Curated by artist Alfred Steiner, a new group exhibition opening today at New York City’s Joshua Liner Gallery is thematically tied to JG Ballard’s 1967 essay Why I Want to Fuck Ronald Reagan. Titled Why I Want To Fuck Donald Trump, the show is a critique of the current political climate, highlighting that murky grey area where politics meets the sexed-up cult of celebrity. Unsurprisingly, it has pulled in critically acclaimed names within the contemporary art world, including the London-based, internationally renowned artist, Antony Micallef.
Micallef first started to paint miniature portraits of Trump on Marlboro cigarette packets for the non-profit organization Peace One Day to highlight National Peace Day on September 21. Entitled Trump Fags, Micallef’s series provocatively combined Trump’s face with slogans such as “seriously harms you and others around you” and simply, “kills.” Following the success of the benefit, which saw one of the packets selling for $6,700 in aid of the charity, he was invited to take part in this group exhibition.
A perfect fit for the satirical group show, the modern Expressionist Micallef is known for exploring the more ominous side of today’s social and political landscape. His work, along with that of the other exhibiting artists, exposes the fragility and fantasy that is applied to politicians, much like the world of celebrity.
How has Donald Trump made it so far in this election?
Trump is the only way a large majority of the American people can stick two fingers up to the establishment. People are so angry that they feel they have been giving nothing and are forgotten. They want a voice and no matter what Trump says, they will follow him as he is the vehicle for their hate and a perfect conduit to express it in. That’s why no matter what he says, he’s the only candidate they will actually vote for. I think it’s unfair to say all Trump supporters are completely stupid, as some of them just desperately want jobs and just want to feed their family and pay mortgages. They are the ones that lose out through globalization, as factory jobs went abroad for cheaper labor. Donald Trump’s platform has appeared from the same cultural habitat that we feed to people in deprived areas with no education or opportunities. It’s the same demographic that ISIS targets, spreading their propaganda into the same areas that breeds haters and mistrust in society to people who no longer feel apart of something and have no opportunities.
What do you think that says about the US public and the state of politics today?
This is the result of neglect and a diet of malnutrition in poor parts of society. When you strip education and replace it with cheap processed entertainment, this is what happens. It’s not surprising people get personalities and celebrities mixed up with politicians. It’s a manifestation of our environment that we have been fusing and cultivating for decades. Americans have been voting for celebrities for years. It started off with the actor Ronald Reagan becoming president in the 80s, and Arnold Schwarzenegger followed as the Governor of California. Sarah Palin was the skeletal mechanical Terminator from the first movie. She was a personality with no idea of global politics who became famous for being Sarah Palin. Her biggest gift was not winning the Vice Presidency, as she could say whatever she wanted and it would never be tested. She has far more power as a celebrity than being a politician as her ridiculous policies can never be seen to fail. Trump is the new sophisticated, sleeker Terminator that morphs into the people’s hero.
Why cigarette packets as a canvas? How did that first come about?
I’ve painted on the back of cigarette packets for years. I used to paint my own portraits and cute characters on the backs as in some juvenile way, I thought it was interesting and funny. Trump is just another cartoon character.
Do you actually think Trump will make it into the Oval Office?
It’s the fall of Rome if he does.
You’ve received loads of interest in these pieces. Will you be producing anymore?
No… I’m all Trumped out. That series has been put to bed.
Why I Want to Fuck Donald Trump is on view at Joshua Liner Gallery from October 13 – November 12, 2016.
Credits
Text Felicity Carter