Cross-legged with his eyes half-closed in a pose evoking the Buddha, this porcelain version of America's divisive leader-in-waiting is the work of designer and sculptor Hong Jinshi
Chinese artist cashes in on Buddha-like Trump statues Image: Ye Qian / AFPTV / AFP©
Donald Trump is not typically known for his calm or reserve, but in a craftsman's workshop in rural China the US president-elect sits in divine contemplation.
Cross-legged with his eyes half-closed in a pose evoking the Buddha, this porcelain version of America's divisive leader-in-waiting is the work of designer and sculptor Hong Jinshi.
The Zen-like figures—which Hong sells for between 999 and 20,000 yuan (about $140 to $2,700) depending on their size—first went viral in 2021 on the e-commerce platform Taobao, attracting national headlines.
And ahead of the real estate magnate's inauguration for a second term, they have become hot property again.
"In the days after he won the election there was a lot of interest," said Hong, who originally designed the statues as a joke.