National Gallery Bans Liquids After Activist Attacks on Iconic Artworks
The National Gallery in London has introduced a ban on visitors bringing liquids into the museum, following a series of attacks on its artwork. The ban, effective as of October 18th, applies to all liquids except baby formula, expressed milk, and prescription medicines.
This decision comes after several high-profile incidents of vandalism, which have caused physical damage to priceless paintings including Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers, John Constable's The Hay Wain, and Velázquez’s Rokeby Venus, and created concerns about the safety of both staff and visitors.
A spokesperson for the gallery said, "Unfortunately, we have now reached a point where we have been forced to act to protect our visitors, staff, and collection."
The most recent attack occurred last week when activists from the civil resistance group Youth Demand pasted a photo over Picasso's Motherhood in protest of Israel’s actions in Gaza, followed by red paint being poured onto the gallery floor.
Shortly before that, Just Stop Oil campaigners threw soup at two Van Gogh paintings. These incidents caused damage to the artwork frames, some costing up to £20,000 to repair.
Visitors encourage to only bring essential items
As a result, security measures at the National Gallery have been tightened. Visitors are now urged to bring only essential items and should expect longer wait times due to increased bag inspections and metal detectors. The gallery expressed regret for these changes but stressed that they were necessary to ensure the safety of its collection and the public.
Protest groups behind the attacks respond to new rule
The decision has sparked reactions from the protest groups behind the attacks. In a joint statement, Just Stop Oil and Youth Demand defended their actions, describing them as a means to highlight the "enormous damage and destruction" caused by climate change and other global issues.
They emphasised that their protests, though disruptive, aim to raise awareness and prompt action on critical environmental policies.
The protesters also invited the National Gallery’s director, Dr. Gabriele Finaldi, and other museum leaders to meet and discuss how cultural institutions can engage with activist movements. They pointed out that museums have historically been sites for protest, from the Suffragettes to recent demonstrations against fossil fuel companies like the Sacklers.
Though the National Gallery has apologised for the inconvenience the new rules may cause, it hopes visitors will understand the necessity of protecting both the artworks and the people who come to enjoy them. In the meantime, activists continue to push for greater acknowledgment of their causes, using these public spaces to challenge the status quo.
