XIAMEN, China – Chinese furniture maker Hong Jinshi first created a couple of pint-sized statues of former US President Donald Trump meditating in a Buddhist pose as a fun project for himself last year.
Six months on, Hong’s amusing hobby has turned into a small side-hustle, with a workshop in the town of Dehua in Fujian province on track to produce an inaugural batch of 250 statues of Trump dressed in Buddhist robes with his legs crossed.<img alt="" data-caption="Statues depicting former US President Donald Trump in a Buddhist meditative pose, by Chinese designer Hong Jinshi, are seen at a workshop in Dehua, Fujian province, China, March 24, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”648b4759-5bcb-4656-95d7-403bea86d974″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210331_statuesdepictingtrump_reuters.jpg”/>Hong was inspired by the potential contrast provided by the two extremisms of Buddhism and a former leader known for his sharp outbursts.
“Our tradition is that a person who is so old and successful … should start to enjoy his old age and be more relaxed, but he was still tormented and fretting over various desires and uncertainties,” Hong said.<img alt="" data-caption="Statues depicting former US President Donald Trump in a Buddhist meditative pose, by Chinese designer Hong Jinshi, are seen at a workshop in Dehua, Fujian province, China, March 24, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”4f13ce88-b592-457d-b2b2-a65250b59e3a” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210331_trumpstatues_reuters.jpg”/>
Custom Statues: Art, Imitations, and a Surprise Trump Gift
Meet Hong, a talented sculptor who’s just shipped 200 hand‑crafted statues to customers in China and beyond. Each piece takes ten days to bring to life after months of refining a design with the help of a close sculptor friend.
Price Point Breakdown
- 16‑cm (6.3‑inch) version: 999 yuan (about S$210)
- 46‑cm masterpiece: 20,000 yuan
Hong believes sales could soar if not for the string of fake, copycat, and lower‑quality knock‑offs flooding Taobao and other popular Chinese online marketplaces at cheaper rates.
Could Trump Be the Next Collector?
Not sure if the former president has spotted these gems yet, but Hong’s goal is clear: offer one of these statues to Trump just to lift his spirits. A little art has always been a good way to brighten a day—and maybe even spark a new partnership.
<img alt="" data-caption="An employee applies finishing touches to a statue depicting former US President Donald Trump in a Buddhist meditative pose, by Chinese designer Hong Jinshi, at a workshop in Dehua, Fujian province, China, March 24, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”0397c6c8-0c5f-48ca-a5b8-010e579ac206″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210331_anemployeeappliesfinishingtouchestoatrumpstatue_reuters.jpg”/>Hong said the project has brought him a lot of happiness, and recommended Trump attempt a similar search for fulfilment.
“Meditation is a look within, where you let go, and stop fighting for fame and fortune,” Hong said. “In Trump’s current state, to be honest, he is really well-suited to do some meditation in this way.”
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