From throwing cans of soup to being thrown into cans.
Two paintings from Vincent van Gogh's “Sunflowers” series were damaged by soup-throwing climate change protesters in London on Friday. This is in response to two environmental activists who were sentenced to prison two years ago for using the same tactic to deface a famous work of art.
Three vandals wearing T-shirts with the words radical environmental group Just Stop Oil on them appeared at the National Gallery to deface the Sunflowers. The act they proudly posted the video on social media.
They also appear to be using tomato soup as an homage to fellow Just Stop Oil members Phoebe Plummer, 23, and Anna Holland, 22. Both men were found guilty earlier in the day of throwing a can of Heinz tomato soup at the 19th-century masterpiece. 2022 climate change protests.
Shocked museum visitors watched Friday's scene, one soup fan said: “There are people who are in jail for demanding an end to new oil and gas, which is now a government policy.'' “I'm there,” he declared.
“Future generations will consider these people prisoners of conscience.” [that were] I'm on the right side of history. ”
Museum officials said the 1888 and 1889 Sunflower paintings were not damaged in the latest stunt. It's unclear whether the recent acts of culinary vandalism will result in criminal charges.
Plummer and Holland reportedly caused $13,000 worth of damage to one of the paintings, and museum officials at the time feared the painting would be permanently damaged.
Two Green Hearts also stuck their hands to the floor and wall as part of the demonstration.
Two environmental warriors wearing “Stop Oil” shirts shouted in French as broth still dripped from the plastic protection of the famous painting. Art or the right to have a healthy and sustainable food system? ”
A British court on Friday sentenced Plummer to two years in prison and Holland to 20 months.
They were found guilty of criminal damage by a jury in July.
Judge Christopher Hehir told Plummer on Friday: “You clearly believe that your beliefs give you the right to commit crimes if you feel like it,” adding: “You do not.” .
“It's not just me and my co-defendants who are being sentenced today, it's the very foundation of our democracy,” Plummer declared in court.
