Three activists were arrested after throwing soup on Van Gogh paintings at the National Gallery in London, following prison sentences for two previous protesters for a similar act. The paintings were unharmed and removed for inspection. The protest was a response to the sentences, reflecting growing tensions in climate activism.
Three climate activists have been arrested for throwing soup over two Van Gogh paintings at the National Gallery in London, just hours after two Just Stop Oil (JSO) protesters were sentenced to prison for a similar act. The paintings, part of the ‘Poets and Lovers’ exhibition, were removed for examination but remained unharmed. The earlier sentences of Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland, who received two years and 20 months respectively for a 2022 protest, sparked this latest action. Activist Phil Green stated, “There are people in prison for demanding an end to new oil and gas… future generations will regard these prisoners of conscience to be on the right side of history.” The Philadelphia Museum of Art confirmed that its loaned painting was cleaned with no lasting damage. In response to the sentences, a letter from Greenpeace defended the activists, calling their demonstration a significant artistic expression, highlighting the growing tension between climate action and legal repercussions.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between climate activism and legal responses to protests. Just Stop Oil, a climate activist group, has been increasingly vocal in calling for immediate governmental action to halt fossil fuel extraction, aiming for a fossil fuel treaty by 2030. The soup-throwing protests are part of a strategy to disrupt norms and generate media attention to their cause. Similar actions have seen activists face legal consequences while sparking debates around the legitimacy and effectiveness of such protests in advocating for climate change awareness.
The soup-throwing protests at the National Gallery reflect the escalating conflict between climate activism and the legal system. With activists receiving prison sentences, further protests are likely as groups like Just Stop Oil aim to highlight their cause. The quick clean-up of the artworks demonstrates that while the protest was disruptive, the artworks themselves were protected.
Original Source: news.artnet.com