Satirical Donald Trump Art Removed From Morristown High Art Show

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A graphic design art project featuring President Trump was removed from the Morristown High School art and design show after others complained, the artist's mother said in a Facebook post.

The design, created by junior Liam Shea, shows a pig-like Trump holding a cat in front of an on-fire American flag (you can see a picture below).

"Liam's graphic design project has been removed from the MHS design week gallery after the principal received several complaints. Ah, controversy. Whatever happened to freedom of expression? Isn't this what art is about?" Kelly Shea, Liam's mother, wrote on a Facebook posting of the image Thursday morning.

The artist reportedly told MorristownGreen the work began as an art class assignment to create a political cartoon. He said he does not hold a grudge against the school, and that the attention was "great."

"If it wasn't taken down, I wouldn't be talking to you!" Shea told the online paper.

Morristown High School Principal Mark Manning did not return Patch's request for comment.

"While I think it's a little crazy to have removed the art, I can appreciate the administration doing it to defuse potential controversy. While I like seeing Liam express himself, the last thing he needs is further distraction at school. In the big picture, we really like MHS and think Liam is getting a great education there," Tom Shea, the artist's father, wrote on Facebook.

"[Liam] holds no ill will over the decision and has the utmost respect for the principal and all his teachers at MHS. He has no intention of demanding it be returned to the display or causing any trouble for the school," mom Kelly wrote. "The reason I posted the image publicly is because it deserves to be seen. Art is meant to provoke; this certainly did just that."

Patch readers, what do you think? Should the image have stayed up? Do you support its removal? Let us know in the comments.

Image via Gage Skidmore, Flickr

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