Chris Christie's Jersey Shore Sand Sculpture Goes Viral

A sand sculpture of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie soaking up rays on the beach during the state government shutdown went viral Tuesday.

The sculpture comes after pictures of the former presidential candidate were snapped that showed him lounging on the empty Island Beach State Park on July 4th weekend. The pictures were met with widespread outrage and gleeful indignation.

Lifeguards at the Seaside Heights beach said the sculptors — only identified as Larry and Tom — began their work at 9 a.m. Tuesday and finished by 1 p.m. The artists included on the sculpture the script "Beach Closed," "I Love New Jersey" and "July 4th."

READ: July 4th Fireworks In New Jersey Canceled? Chris Christie Says It's Possible

Christie was caught by a photographer on Island Beach State Park over the weekend during a three-day government shutdown over a dispute over the budget between the governor and the Democratically controlled State Assembly. Christie signed the $34.7 billion budget proposal Tuesday, opening the beaches just in time.

After three days, the budget was solved but the pictures of Christie on the empty beach prompted plenty of reactions from those on social media who weren't pleased with the governor's handling of the situation.

In addition to sand sculptures, Twitter also provided a large number of funny memes and reactions to Christie's beach photo, posting a photoshopped image of him on the beach in politically zeitgeist moments, different television shows, movies and others.

READ: Twitter Reacts To Chris Christie Sunbathing On Beach He Closed To Public

Before the shutdown, Christie's approval rating had already been abysmal, with a recent poll finding that only 15 percent approval rating in the state. Following the picture, the governor showed disdain for the Star-Ledger, the largest circulated newspaper in New Jersey.

"What a great bit of journalism by The Star-Ledger," Christie said Monday. "They actually caught a politician being where he said he was going to be with the people he said he was going to be with, his wife and children and their friends. I am sure they will get a Pulitzer for this one."