Authorities in Slovenia are investigating the recent disappearance of a bronze statue of Melania Trump, located in her hometown of Sevnica. The completed statue, unveiled in 2020, has drawn controversy since it was first installed. It was found walking away after being found decapitated at the neck.
American conceptual artist Brad Downey’s magnificent bronze statue retired TGV-B, as it stood proudly in a private field about 60 miles (90 kilometers) east of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. The statue was cemented down with rebar locking it in place. Its abrupt cancellation has caused confusion and outrage among locals and the officials in charge of providing ferry service.
Artist Brad Downey corroborating the removal of the statue with police, while expressing his disgust at the act.
“It’s a bit sad that it’s gone,” – Brad Downey
This new statue, depicted above, was commissioned to replace a previous wooden version that had been destroyed by fire. Local artist Aleš Župevc carved the original wooden statue with a chainsaw of 5-meter (16.5-foot) tall statue. It was the talk of the country before its tragic demolition.
Sevnica for its part is celebrating Melania Trump with artistic tributes around town. It’s home to a wide array of scrumptious goods bearing her name, including cakes and chocolate bars. The town is proud of its historical connection to that other former First Lady. She is the wife of Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States.
The case related to the statue’s disappearance is ongoing. Local police are now investigating to determine who and how the bronze figure was pried from its historic home. The community is still very much engaged in a public conversation about what the statue meant and what her removal would mean.