There might be a lot of people who don’t like U.S. President Donald Trump or his politics of exclusion, but the walls of the Vancouver hotel that bears his name are sharing a different message.
Vancouver artist Miriam Aroeste has created 180 original works of art for Trump International Hotel and Tower. Most are abstract paintings for each of the rooms, suites and elevator lobbies and they are all based on a common theme — love.
“They are about love, inclusiveness and togetherness,” says Aroeste, who got the commissions before Trump was a presidential nominee.
Her series Path to be Crossed, for instance, “speaks about community and creating connections.” The In Motion series is that “every action has a reaction and the moment you move is the moment you act — love and reaction and movement.”
Aroeste was born and raised in Mexico City and came to Canada 26 years ago. As her initial commission for paintings for the rooms grew into a hotel-wide project, she kept her feelings about her art separate from her political views.
“When I paint I’m so much in love [with the process] that it comes naturally,” she says. “The art has nothing to do with my political views.”
It seems her friends and fans have been able to take the same approach.
“When we talk about my art they don’t make the connection [with views about Donald Trump.] Nobody talked about Trump. It was more, ‘Oh my God, how did you get this gig?’ They focused on the merit of the work.”
Aroeste will be at the official opening of Trump Vancouver on Feb. 28. Trump’s sons Donald Jr. and Eric are also expected to attend.
