Two environmental activists who glued themselves to a J.M.W. Turner painting at Manchester Art Gallery in July 2022 were acquitted today in a Manchester court. The pair affixed themselves to the frame of Tomson’s Aeolian Harp (1809) by Turner and sprayed “No New Oil” and the Just Stop Oil logo on the floor with chalk…
… “The district judge found that the action was proportionate in view of the climate crisis,” a Just Stop Oil statement says. "By contrast Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland received sentences of 24 months and 20 months respectively from Judge Hehir at Southwark Crown Court last week for throwing cans of soup on the glass cover of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers in 2022.”
While the soup attack caused damage in the historic frame if the picture, this protest did not cause any permanent damage. From the choice of glue to the choice of spraypaint, everything was well thought out. So no, I don’t think this is proof that the Soutwark conviction is totally unreasonable
Ah, good point. From https://slrpnk.net/post/13854087/11329905 I was under the impression that there was no actual damage. If that’s wrong then the distinction you point out makes more sense and the conclusion you draw is reasonable.
That said, two years… for a frame. I know it’s historical and all but two years seems extreme even for a historical frame.
The same judge (Southwark) thinks that damage to the eye socket of an off-duty police officer should get a suspended sentence.
But sure, when it’s a picture frame, you have to send a message.
Dude, it’s not like frames grow on trees…
No, indeed. I myself am one of the many millions of people that visit the National Gallery each year to look at the frames.
As Van Gogh wrote to Gauguin: I have hung the guest bedroom here in Arles with a series of frames that you simply have to come and see.
Of course, those frames aren’t the ones on display. They’re too valuable.