▲ Just Stop Oil's protest at the National Gallery, Courtesy of the National Gallery

Two members of the protest group Just Stop Oil have been convicted of criminal damage after they threw tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh's famous painting, 'Sunflowers'. The incident occurred on October 14, 2022, at the National Gallery in London, where the activists, Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland, subsequently glued their hands to the wall beside the artwork.

Judge Christopher Hehir, presiding over the case at Southwark Crown Court, expressed that the activists "came within the width of a pane of glass of destroying one of the most valuable artworks in the world." He cautioned the defendants to be "prepared in practical and emotional terms to go to prison" following their sentencing, scheduled for September 27.

Prosecutors highlighted that the painting's 17th-century Italian frame, itself a valuable artifact, suffered damage due to the protest. As part of their bail conditions, Plummer and Holland have been prohibited from visiting galleries and museums and from carrying glue, paint, or other adhesive substances in public. 

▲ Sunflowers, oil on canvas, 95 cm x 73cm, Van Gogh, Courtesy of Van Gogh MuseumKatie McFadden, the solicitor representing Holland, expressed disappointment with the verdict and mentioned that they are considering an appeal. She criticized the government's focus on prosecuting young activists over addressing climate change issues. McFadden stated, "The government continuously proves that they have little to no interest in attempting to curb climate change. They have proven that they have a great deal of interest in investing time and money into prosecuting young people trying to fight for the future of themselves and their children."

Plummer, in a widely shared video, explained that the protest aimed to raise awareness about the UK's energy policies, including the approval of numerous fossil fuel licenses under former Prime Minister Liz Truss, and the disproportionate subsidies for fossil fuels compared to renewable energy. She also linked these issues to the rising cost of living in the UK.

The National Gallery initially reported that the painting itself was unharmed, but its frame had sustained "minor damage." The artwork was returned to display just two days after the incident.▲ The National Gallery, Courtesy of the gallery

Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com