A NEW exhibition at Firstsite will feature an iconic image seen by millions to best represent their reaction to Donald Trump becoming president elect of the United States.

Oh America by Gee Vaucher features the Statue of Liberty with her head in her hands.

It was created in 1989 but the image was picked up last week and went viral around the world following the result of the US presidential election.

One of the world’s most shared images is now on view in Colchester after Gee Vaucher: Introspective opened on Saturday.

Firstsite director Sally Shaw said: “The Statue of Liberty is an incredibly potent symbol for all Americans.

“It was the first hopeful thing newcomers saw as they approached New York and it represents the many freedoms the country conveys on its citizens.

“Gee Vaucher’s brilliant reworking of it, with Liberty’s hands clasped over her eyes, along with the title, ‘Oh America’, is an expression of horror and disbelief, which is how many felt the day Donald Trump became president elect.

“Clearly there are lots of Gee Vaucher fans out there who remembered it.”

Sally added: “The image sums up a mood and for that reason it was perfect for social media, having an instant effect on all those who see it.

“For that reason, I wasn’t surprised it went viral.

“It is as poignant now as it was when Gee created it more than 25 years ago.

“It it is wonderful to have it on show at Firstsite.

“We hope it will tempt many people to come and see it and all the other works Gee has created over her 50 year career as an artist.”

The exhibition will run until February 19.

It includes more than 200 works from the British artist many of which have never been shown in public before.

Vaucher’s work draws inspiration from political engagement based on her own activism in the 1960s and 1970s but does not fit into any category instead transcending many.

Her connection with New York stems partly from her work as a political illustrator for the New York Times and New York Magazine.

Speaking about the show Ms Shaw added: ‘We are delighted and privileged to be holding the first major retrospective of Gee Vaucher’s work at Firstsite, not least because of her strong connections with Essex.

“A truly remarkable artist, she has created an astonishing body of work that is at once scabrous, heartfelt, wry and thought-provoking – a perfect match for Firstsite’s ambition to encourage new ways of looking and thinking.”