A leading UK museum is set to display one of the most iconic objects used in the London protests against Donald Trump.
Two years ago, the Museum of London expressed their interest to acquire the Trump Baby blimp.
About Trump Baby
The blimp is an over-sized balloon featuring an unflattering replica of Trump’s face and figure. The humungous inflatable was flown over Parliament Square to protest against the Republican president being in office, while he stayed in London on a presidential state visit in 2019.
The unusual item quickly became globally recognised as the centrepiece of the protests and became known as the ‘Trump Baby’.
Now ahead of the president’s inauguration tomorrow (January 20), the Museum of London has announced Trump Baby blimp will be added to the Museum of London’s Protest Collection.
The collection already includes captivating artefacts from over 100 years of protests, including the Suffragette Movement, banners and tents which belonged to legendary British protester Brian Haw, and placards used by recent protestors amid public spending cuts.
A permanent home at the Museum of London
Due to its popularity, the six-metre balloon has toured the world over the last few years, with Museum of London expected to be its final resting place. The Museum will now conserve the item and has teased its potential to be displayed at their future West Smithfield site, where they are moving to in the next coming years.
Commenting, Sharon Ament, Director of Museum of London said: “London has always been an open, ever-evolving polyglot city. A haven for knowledge, tradition and controversy and over thousands of years we have played host to many a historic protest.
“From the Suffragettes of the early twentieth century to the anti-austerity marches, free speech and Black Lives Matter most recently – the capital has always been the place to have your say.
Adding: “By collecting the baby blimp we can mark the wave of feeling that washed over the city that day and capture a particular moment of resistance – a feeling still relevant today as we live through these exceptionally challenging times – that ultimately shows Londoners banding together in the face of extreme adversity.”
In other UK museum news, Art Fund has unveiled their New Collecting Award winners to help UK museums expand and diversify exhibits.
