Remember That Time a Statue of a Naked Donald Trump Showed Up?

It took 24 minutes for sculptor Joshua “Ginger” Monroe’s naked Donald Trump statue to be taken down by Cleveland Heights police when it showed up in the city’s Coventry neighborhood in August. Monroe’s infamous The Emperor Has No Balls sculptures, showing the next U.S. president in graphic detail, were also quickly removed after popping up in Seattle, New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco. In October, the Cleveland Heights sculpture was auctioned off for $3,400 — money that went to public art funding in the Coventry Village Special Improvement District. We talked with Monroe to get his thoughts on election insanity, a Trump presidency and what’s next on his artistic plate.

Q. You’ve made 11 naked sculptures of the 45th president of the United States. How does that make you feel?

A. I’m still kind of in utter disbelief and shock. It’s a mixed bag of emotions. I’m not really a fan of him being president. I’m kind of unsettled by that.

Q. Another one of the statues sold for more than $20,000. Who would want a naked statue of Donald Trump?

A. There’s actually a lot of people who want to appreciate art and the message behind it. Some just don’t like Trump but got quite a kick out of seeing the statues and the frenzy that ensued. And I don’t think this would have been as big as it was, or myself being propelled so quickly, if it wasn’t for the atmosphere the election induced.

Q. Were you worried about humiliating someone running for president?
A. It wasn’t about personally humiliating him but more about getting the message out to the republic. Like the reason we show Trump’s veins, to show a visible representation of his thin skin. Him without any armor — whether it’s an Armani suit, his lawyers around him. As far as to hurt his feelings? I’m not sure the man has feelings to hurt.

Q. Will you continue to do political art?
A. Well, there’s a large spectrum of art and politics intermingling together — like this piece — which has largely influenced my thinking and my direction. I have several pieces I want to do like it: one revolving around police brutality, one around veterans affairs. It’s definitely changed my artistic endeavors.

Q. How has the election affected artists?
A. There’s going to be an explosion, a renaissance of art in this country. I’ve never seen so many artists voicing their opinion with their art. This really sparks their fury, their passion and their hatred. Everybody I know now has a fire lit underneath them.

Q. How has the newfound fame affected your career?
A. I have galleries around the world calling me, asking, “Hey, you got anything else?” That’s an amazing feeling. Being a Clevelander — to get to a point where I’m internationally known for being an artist? That’s a huge blessing. I’m utterly grateful for every second of it.