"Worried About Earth More Than Paintings" ... Tomato Soup Poured on 120 Billion Won Van Gogh Artwork

UK Environmental Group Holds Protest Urging Climate Crisis Action
Van Gogh's Sunflowers Displayed in Glass Frame Remain Intact

On the 14th (local time), two activists belonging to the environmental group 'Just Stop Oil' poured tomato soup on Vincent van Gogh's 1880s work 'Sunflowers' at the National Gallery in London, UK, and then glued their hands to the museum wall. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] There is growing attention and criticism in the UK regarding protests by environmental activists targeting famous artworks. Following an incident where a hand coated with adhesive was stuck onto a work by John Constable, this time activists poured tomato soup on Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" as part of their demonstration.

According to the BBC on the 14th (local time), two individuals conducting a climate change protest at the National Gallery in London were arrested by police on charges including property damage and illegal trespassing.

They poured Heinz tomato soup on van Gogh's 1880s painting "Sunflowers" and then glued their hands to the museum wall using adhesive. The painting was reportedly protected by a glass frame and was not damaged.

The two protesters are known to be activists affiliated with the UK environmental group "Just Stop Oil." As the name suggests, the group calls on the UK government to halt new permits and production of fossil fuels.

The protest was carried out with the intention of urging action on the climate crisis. One activist asked, "Is art more precious than life, food, and justice?" and questioned, "Are you more worried about protecting paintings, or about protecting our planet and people?" According to the group, "Sunflowers" is valued at $84.2 million (approximately 120 billion KRW).

Meanwhile, this is not the first time the group has staged protests in such a unique manner. In July, they attached a painting depicting a rural landscape destroyed by the climate crisis onto John Constable's "The Hay Wain" at the same gallery. They then held the frame with hands coated in adhesive, explaining it was meant to express the impact of the climate crisis and oil on the environment.

Similar protests have also taken place at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. At that time, the group glued their hands coated with adhesive onto a framed replica of "The Last Supper," created in the 16th century by a disciple of Leonardo da Vinci. They also sprayed the phrase "No New Oil" on the wall.

Reactions to these protest methods are mixed. Some argue that conducting protests through illegal acts such as damaging public property is inappropriate. On the other hand, there are responses that arresting those who voice criticism to the UK government while urging climate action is excessive.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.