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The latest in a string of attempts to vandalize well-known works of art to oppose oil was made Friday when two climate protestors threw tomato soup on a Vincent Van Gogh painting at London’s National Gallery.
According to the London Metropolitan Police, two people were detained on suspicion of aggravated trespass and criminal damage.
They both supported Just Stop Oil, an activist organisation that uses publicity gimmicks to raise awareness of climate change.
UK ACTIVISTS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE GLUE HANDS TO A VINCENT VAN GOGH PAINTWORK AT THE LONDON MUSEUM
The two can be seen pulling out the soup cans and removing an outer layer of clothing to display their Just Stop Oil T-shirts. The National Gallery stated in a statement that the picture is protected by glass and is “unharmed” other than minor damage to the frame.
Just Stop Oil released a statement shortly after the video went viral with the phrase, “Human creativity and talent is on show in this gallery, however our heritage is being destroyed by our Governments unwillingness to act on the climate and cost of living problem.”
What use does art serve in the face of the breakdown of civil society? The group kept going. If they wish to live in a society where there are still people around to appreciate art, the art establishment, artists, and the general public must join the Civil Resistance.
VAN GOGH SELF-PORTRAIT FOUND IN GALLERY BESIDE OTHER PAINTS
Two series of paintings by Vincent van Gogh used sunflowers, and works from the floral series fetch tens of millions of dollars.
The renowned painter is frequently the focus of attention from climate activists, and this is Just Stop Oil’s not the first time they have publicly attacked Van Gogh.
To protest the government’s climate policy, two activists with Just Stop Oil adhered their hands to the frame of a Van Gogh artwork in a London gallery in June.
