Profanity Engraved on the Pedestal of Queen Victoria's Bust
As environmental activists continue 'terror protests' by damaging artworks under the pretext of environmental protection, a protest involving pouring jam and soup on a bust of Queen Victoria has occurred. The British daily The Guardian reported that at around 11:55 a.m. local time on the 3rd, two women damaged the bust of Queen Victoria at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow, Scotland. They were identified as activists from the environmental group 'This Is Rigged.'
In the released video, one woman spray-painted profanity on the pedestal holding the bust, while the other poured jam and soup on the bust itself. They shouted slogans such as "We refuse to return to the Victorian era," "Diseases caused by starvation like scurvy and beriberi are increasing," and "Food is a human right."
The group to which these women belong stated on social media that "the damage caused to the bust is negligible compared to the harm inflicted on our community," and vowed to continue such actions until their demands for changes in food policy are accepted.
A spokesperson for the Scottish police said, "On the morning of the 3rd, we received a report of vandalism at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery," adding, "Two women aged 23 and 30 were arrested and charged following the incident." They were released after promising to appear in court at a later date.
Immediately after the incident, the art gallery was temporarily closed for restoration work but has since reopened. The gallery stated that "no permanent damage occurred."
Meanwhile, incidents of attacks on artworks under the guise of environmental protection have been occurring worldwide. In June last year, two climate activists in Sweden were arrested after smearing paint on a work by the French Impressionist painter Claude Monet. Fortunately, that artwork was protected by a glass cover.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
