Vancouver Island artist’s horse-manure Trump portrait sells at Sooke show

A Vancouver Island artist’s portrait of U.S. President Donald Trump, created with processed horse manure, sold for $1,800 on the opening day of the Sooke Fine Arts Show.

Wendy Chartrand titled the work The Don of Dung. Living on a property with horses, she watered, mashed and strained the material into a watercolour-like medium. She said the work was unpleasantly odorous to make, requiring a mask or outdoor work, but lacquer sealed the finished painting, preventing smudging and neutralizing the smell.

Chartrand said the piece was her way of expressing frustration with political developments south of the border, while also finding humour in them. She said she was surprised by how quickly it sold and would like to thank the buyer.

Sooke Fine Arts Society executive director Jen Hayward said artists have long used their work to engage with current social and political events. The society said the 40-year-old show has featured many provocative works, and encouraged visitors to see the full range of local art on display. The show runs until Aug. 3.