Xiamen-based ceramist Hong Jinshi is known for his unique ceramic sculptures blending modern cultural figures with traditional Buddhist iconography. One of his works is particularly fitting to the current United States political landscape: president-elect Donald Trump depicted as a serene, cross-legged Buddha figure, eyes half-closed in meditative repose.
Hong initially conceived the Trump-Buddha statues in 2021 as a humorous project, inspired by one of Trump’s Chinese nicknames, “King of Knowing Everything.” The juxtaposition of Trump’s signature brash personality with the tranquil demeanor of a Buddha was intended to amuse and provoke thought. The statues quickly went viral on Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao, attracting worldwide headlines and significant public interest.
Now, as Trump begins a second term in the Oval Office, there’s a renewed interest in Hong’s statues. Packaged with the phrase “Make Your Company Great Again,” a cheeky twist on Trump’s MAGA campaign slogan to the grind of capitalism, the sculptures are priced between RMB 999 and 20,000(about $140-2,700 USD), depending on size. Unsurprisingly, Hong has faced challenges with counterfeit versions appearing on various online platforms, including Amazon and Temu, priced at around $45 USD.
Beyond the Trump-Buddha figures, Hong has expanded his satirical art to include other prominent personalities. He recently unveiled a sculpture of divisive tech entrepreneur and Trump backer Elon Musk, portrayed in the style of Marvel’s Iron Man, complete with a prominent rocket symbolizing Musk’s space exploration ambitions.
Despite the renewed interest in his work following Trump’s re-election, Hong no longer sells his statues on Chinese platforms, possibly due to concerns about offending religious sentiments, according to him. Nevertheless, orders continue to pour in from tourists visiting his workshop in Hong Kong and through personal networks. Hong’s Trump statues draw parallels to a Chinese artist who tried to predict the US election last year through merch sales. Though at that time, the result was anyone’s guess.
Banner image via AFP
