Artists Erect ‘Trumpocalypse’ Billboard in Phoenix AZ

Artist Karen Fiorito was commissioned by Gallery La Melgosa to create the new Trump billboard in Phoenix Arizona.  The gallery owns the billboard space and reportedly plans to keep this Trump themed imagery up on the billboard for the duration of Trump’s presidency.  The billboard is on a business-filled street that leads to downtown Phoenix.

New Trump billboard in Phoenix AZ

Artist Karen Fiorito told the Washington post this week, “I hope that people feel inspired to stand up and speak out and to not be afraid.  I hope that people come together and unify and stand up against what I think is a very dangerous path that we’re on.”

The reverse side of the billboard has an important message as well.

Photo: Karen Fiorito

The same artist erected a billboard after the Bush Administration lied to the American people about WMD and started a war in Iraq.

A 2004 billboard by Karen Fiorito

“Dear America, We lied to you for your own good. Now trust us.”

There are some important lessons to take away from this bold act of defiance.  The symbols and colors on the Trump billboard blatantly allude to Nazi iconography as well as nuclear war.  And although it is clear that this new administration is on the conservative right, and their policies and conduct thus far have been xenophobic, nationalistic, and hostile towards dissenting opinions and the free press.  The mere fact that this billboard is allowed to exist is a symbol that America is still free, and that this is not a fascist dictatorship quite yet.  God bless the artists.

UNITY, in sign language. By Karen Fiorito

Check out more of Karen Fiorito work on her facebook page.  #resist