LONDON -- Several artists have been "inspired" by the sh*t show that is the U.S. presidential election 2016.
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Even across the pond, artwork depicting presidential candidate Donald Trump has particularly experienced a renaissance of sorts.
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Artist Antony Micallef -- whose work has been collected by the likes of Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Jared Leto, James Franco and the Olsen sisters -- has produced one such piece that sends a striking message.。
SEE ALSO:The Trump micro-penis artist has another message for Donald。
The London-based painter produced mini portraits of Trump on the front of Marlboro cigarette packs. They're currently on display in New York for a group exhibition entitled "Why I Want To F*ck Donald Trump":。
Seth Rogen has reportedly requested one of the packs.Credit: Antony Micallef
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Micallef's more recent work had focused on the human body: "I was doing political work for such a long time, but sometimes you just want to retract and do something for yourself -- something that wasn’t making a statement," he told。 Mashable。Mashable。
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Sep 27, 2016 at 4:08pm PDT。
However, the recent political climate galvanized the London-based artist to "pick up the brush again and play with the old subject matter." 。Mashable Top StoriesStay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter 。By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 。
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"I find it really interesting when you find pop type imagery and place it with something much darker. It’s that chemistry you make in the middle that I find really interesting," Micallef told。
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His Trump portraits contribute to a wider body of art in the exhibition that comments on the cult of celebrity and the intersection of sensationalism in the political realm. 。 Micallef's "21st Century Love" comments on consumerism in society.Credit: antony micallef 。"We live in a world of storytellers where facts are no longer important and truths are irrelevant," he said in an email to 。
"We live in a world of storytellers where facts are no longer important and truths are irrelevant," he said in an email to。
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, "Politics and opinions are polarized and you are either fighting for good or evil.
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"The people have spoken and they want a celebrity God to fix things! Are we really surprised?"
。"The amalgamation of these elements have been condensed and incarnated in Donald Trump. A self-centered, egocentric billionaire being represented as Robin Hood by saying he will take from the rich and the corrupted and give it back to the poor. This is the savior!... The people have spoken and they want a celebrity God to fix things!... The people have spoken and they want a celebrity God to fix things! Are we really surprised?"。Earlier in his career, Micallef was represented by the same agent as English graffiti artist Banksy, and much of his work sought to bring attention to contemporary social issues such as human trafficking and the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.。
"Broken" from 2009 used charcoal and lipstick on primed card to raise awareness for human trafficking.Credit: Antony Micallef。 Antony produced "Weapon Head" using decommissioned AK47’s for Peace One Day.Credit: Antony Micallef。"Friendly Fire" was displayed behind the separation wall in Palestine in an exhibit curated by Banksy.Credit: Antony Micallef 。
"Friendly Fire" was displayed behind the separation wall in Palestine in an exhibit curated by Banksy.Credit: Antony Micallef。
Micallef told
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Mashable。that he believes the racist undertone in Trump's speeches "creates a really bad environment," likening it to the resulting rise in hate crime following the Brexit vote in June.
。"I dislike what he’s about. This is a trophy for him -- nothing else.”TopicsDonald Trump。"I dislike what he’s about. This is a trophy for him -- nothing else.”TopicsDonald Trump。