This 8-foot-high statue appeared on the National Mall last week, believed to have been executed by the same artist who gained fame for the “poop statue” last year that gave mock tribute to the insurrectionists who stormed the US Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

The artwork’s creators intended “Dictator Approved” as a rejoinder to the June 14 military parade and authoritarianism, according to a permit issued by the National Park Service. The parade, the creators wrote in the application, “Will feature imagery similar to autocratic, oppressive regime, i.e. N. Korea, Russia, and China, marching through DC.” The purpose of the statue, they continued, is to call attention to “the praising these types of oppressive leaders have given Donald Trump.”

Plaques on the four sides of the artwork’s base include quotes from world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin (“President Trump is a very bright and talented man.”), Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (“The most respected, the most feared person is Donald Trump.”), former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro (“We do have a great deal of shared values. I admire President Trump.”) and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un (“Your Excellency.” A “special” relationship. “The extraordinary courage of President Trump.”). (from The Washington Post)

It should have taken us 5 minutes to drive to this location, but because of a BBQ festival taking place on the National Mall and Constitution Avenue, it took us well over an hour to maneuver around all the street closures. The festival trucks and booths also ruined any shot of the statue with the Capitol in view, so I had to settle for this perspective.

Arboretum in years past: Azalea postscript, posted earlier: