Wendy Chartrand, a Metchosin-based artist, created a portrait of Donald Trump using horse manure for the 40th Sooke Fine Arts Show. The work, titled The Don of Dung, was purchased by an anonymous buyer for $1,800 before the exhibit opened.
The $1,800 value of horse manure and lacquer
The sale of The Don of Dung for $1,800 highlights a recurring trend in the contemporary art world where the medium's shock value often drives the market price. according to the report, the painting was snapped up by an anonymous buyer before the Sooke Fine Arts Show even opened its doors to the public . this immediate transaction suggests that the intersection of political provocation and unconventional materials creates a high-demand niche for collectors.
While the medium was pungent during creation, the final product is a study in technical preservation. Wendy Chartrand utilized a charcoal sketch as a foundation before applying the strained manure mixture, eventually sealing the entire piece under layers of lacquer. As the source notes, this process ensured that the painting bears no scent of its origins, transforming a biological waste product into a permanent, odorless gallery piece.
Tariffs and the Gordie Howe Bridge as artistic catalysts
The creation of the portrait was not merely a prank but a response to specific geopolitical frictions. Wendy Chartrand cited her frustration with the way Canada is perceived and treated by the United States as the primary driver for the work. Specifically,she pointed to the imposition of tariffs and the recurring narrative of Canada acting as a "51st state" as sources of the anger she sought to channel through her art.
The artist also linked her work to concrete infrastructure and political disputes, mentioning the Gordie Howe Bridge project as a point of contention. By using horse manure to depict Donald Trump, Wendy Chartrand framed the act as a form of "therapy," turning feelings of helplessness regarding international diplomacy into a tangible, satirical statement. This echoes a long tradition of political caricature, though it pushes the boundaries by incorporating the physical waste of the artist's own environment.
How Nina, Tallina,and Jimi fueled the creative process
The raw materials for the painting were sourced directly from Wendy Chartrand's own horses: Nina, Tallina,and Jimi. This adds a layer of personal connection to the work, as the artist utilized the biological output of her animals to critique a global political figure. While the report mentions that all three horses contributed, Wendy Chartrand has playfully declined to name which specific horse provided the bulk of the "paint."
This approach places the Sooke Fine Arts Show—which features works from roughly 280 coastal B.C. artists—at the center of a debate regarding the definition of "fine art." By blending traditional charcoal sketching with animal waste, Wendy Chartrand challenges the audience to separate the aesthetic result from the visceral nature of the ingredients.
The mystery of the anonymous buyer and the 'P-O-O-T-I-N' plan
Despite the visibility of the piece, several details remain obscured, most notably the identity of the anonymous buyer who paid $1,800 for the portrait. It remains unclear whether the purchaser was motivated by a shared political distaste for Donald Trump or a fascination with the unorthodox medium. the report does not specify if the buyer is a local resident of British Columbia or an outside collector.
Furthermore, the future of this medium remains speculative. Wendy Chartrand has expressed interest in expanding the series to other world leaders, specifically mentioning a potential portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which she jokingly suggested spelling as "P-O-O-T-I-N." Whether such a piece would find a similar buyer or face greater censorship remains to be seen, as the artist herself admitted that securing a buyer for a portrait of the Russian leader might be more challenging.
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