Climate activists throw fog on Van Gogh’s’ Sunflowers’ to protest reactionary energy ancestry
Associated Press: Climate protesters threw fog over Vincent van Gogh’s “ Sunflowers ” in London’s National Gallery on Friday to protest reactionary energy ancestry, but caused no appreciable damage to the glass- covered oil painting.
The group Just Stop oil painting, which wants the British government to halt new oil painting and gas systems, said activists blew off two barrels of tomato fog over the oil painting canvas , one of the Dutch artist’s most iconic workshop. The two protesters also bound themselves to the gallery wall.
The fog splashed across the glass covering the oil painting and its gold-plated frame. The gallery said “ there is some minor damage to the frame but the canvas is unharmed. ” The work is one of several performances of “ Sunflowers ” that Van Gogh painted in the late 1880s.
London’s Metropolitan Police said officers arrested two people on doubt of illegal damage and complicated trespass.
“ Specialist officers have nowun-glued them and they’ve been taken into guardianship to a central London police station, ” the force said in a statement.
Just Stop oil painting has drawn attention, and review, for targeting artworks in galleries. In July, Just Stop oil painting activists bound themselves to the frame of Leonardo da Vinci’s “ The Last Supper ” at London’s Royal Academy of Arts, and to John Constable’s “ The Hay Wain ” in the National Gallery.
Activists have also blocked islands and corners across London during two weeks of challenges.
The surge of demonstrations comes as the British government opens a new licensing round for North Sea oil painting and gas investigation, despite review from environmentalists and scientists who say the move undermines the country’s commitment to fighting climate change.
