Creator of controversial Donald Trump artwork threatened with legal action

Date
19 April 2016
Above

Illma Gore: Make America Great Again

Artist Illma Gore, who created the controversial illustration of a naked Donald Trump, is being threatened with legal action, according to the London gallery which is currently exhibiting the work. The illustration titled Make America Great Again has garnered international attention since its release in February 2016, and is currently on display at the Maddox Gallery, Mayfair, despite being widely censored and banned from public display in the US.

According to the gallery press release, Illma has been contacted by an anonymous party which has said it will sue if she sells the piece, citing Trump’s right of publicity over commercial use of his likeness. She has also reportedly received notice from Facebook that a third party has filed a DCMA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) infringement notice against her. Maddox Gallery also claims that Illma has been repeatedly blocked by Facebook and asked to provide government ID to verify her identity.

In response, Illma has posted a high resolution version of the piece as a free download.

The Los Angeles-based artist said in a statement about the work: “_Make America Great Again_ was created to evoke a reaction from its audience, good or bad, about the significance we place on our physical selves. One should not feel defined by their penis size or vagina, as it does not determine who you are. Your genitals do not dictate your gender, your power, or your status. Simply put, you can be a massive prick, despite what is in your pants.”

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Jenny Brewer

Jenny oversees our editorial output. She was previously It’s Nice That’s news editor. Get in touch with any big creative stories, tips, pitches, news and opinions, or questions about all things editorial.

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