Melania Trump wooden sculpture burned in Slovenia, artist seeks arsonists for documentary

A wooden sculpture depicting former U.S. First Lady Melania Trump was destroyed by fire on July 4 near her Slovenian hometown of Sevnica. Berlin-based American artist Brad Downey, who commissioned the work from local folk artist Ales Zupvec, reported the incident to police and intends to interview the perpetrators for a documentary film. The statue, carved from a tree trunk and erected in July 2019, had generated controversy among locals who variously described it as a disgrace, compared it to Smurf characters, or referenced the viral Beast Jesus restoration. Downey explained that his artistic intention was to stimulate discussion about U.S. politics by highlighting Melania Trump's immigrant background while married to a president with anti-immigration policies. The former model moved to the United States in the 1990s, and her Slovenian origins have been commercially exploited in Sevnica with products like sausages and cakes bearing her name. The burned sculpture has been removed from the site. Downey's documentary project will precede an exhibition scheduled to open later this year in Slovenia.