Artist displays sculpture of crucified Trump

Basel. An art gallery in Basel is exhibiting a controversial work starting today: a nearly lifelike depiction of Donald Trump on a cross. The sculpture, measuring 1.47 meters by 83 centimeters, is titled "Saint or Sinner" and has already been sold, according to gallery owner Melanie Breznik. "The insured value is now in the high six-figure range," she stated. "The buyer/owner is an internationally known figure and therefore wishes to remain anonymous."

The sculpture is by British artist Mason Storm, who always performs wearing a mask. The figure wears an orange jumpsuit, like many prisoners in the US. The cross also evokes a gurney, such as those used in US executions for administering lethal injections. Regarding the sculpture's meaning, the gallery refers to a podcast, the announcement of which states that the work "raises questions about morality, religion, power, and social double standards in equal measure."

The Gleis 4 gallery, founded a year ago, is showing only this work in an exhibition space in downtown Basel. Earlier plans to display it in a gallery space at the main train station were cancelled due to concerns about potential disruptions, according to Breznik. The sculpture is protected against theft and vandalism "as best as possible." It is equipped with features such as an integrated GPS chip and sensors.

RND/dpa