Climate Activists Threw Soup at Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ Painting
“What is worth more, art or life?”
From a young man disguised as an elderly woman, to activists gluing themselves to priceless works of art — protesters have recently gone to unordinary measures to raise awareness to issues, such as climate change.
Another incident happened earlier today at the National Gallery in London, where several protesters part of Just Stop Oil threw two cans of Heinz Tomato soup at Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers (1888) painting and proceeded in glueing their hands just beneath it.
One of the activists, London resident Phoebe Plummer, proceeded in saying: “What is worth more, art or life? Is it worth more than food? Worth more than justice? Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting, or the protection of our planet and people? The cost of living crisis is part of the cost of oil crisis.”
Anna Holland from Newcastle added:
“UK families will be forced to choose between heating or eating this winter, as fossil fuel companies reap record profits. But the cost of oil and gas isn’t limited to our bills. Somalia is now facing an apocalyptic famine, caused by drought and fuelled by the climate crisis. Millions are being forced to move and tens of thousands face starvation. This is the future we choose for ourselves if we push for new oil and gas.”
Local police unglued the two women shortly after and arrested them for criminal damage and aggravated trespass. According to the National Gallery, there is “some minor damage to the frame but the painting is unharmed.”
