UK’s National Gallery bans liquids after activist attacks on artworks

The National Gallery has announced it is banning liquids after attacks by activists on its artworks, including Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers.

The London museum has urged visitors to bring “minimal items” to the premises, and “no large bags”. However, its liquid ban does not include baby formula, expressed breast milk and prescription medicines.

“Unfortunately, we have now reached a point where we have been forced to act to protect our visitors, staff and collection,” it said in a statement.

The museum cited several attacks on artwork since July 2022, including on John Constable’s The Hay Wain, as well as on Sunflowers.

“Such attacks have caused physical damage to the artworks, distress to visitors and staff alike, and disruption to our mission to ensure great art is available for everyone, everywhere to enjoy,” it said. “Two of these attacks have happened in the last two weeks, and that is why we have taken the difficult and unfortunate decision to change the way we operate for the foreseeable future.”

Last month two versions of the Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers were hit by soup, after two other Just Stop Oil activists were jailed for committing a similar act in 2022. The paintings weren’t damaged but prosecutors said the frames were – for an estimated worth of up to £20,000 (€24,000).

Last week, two people were arrested after pasting a photo of a bloodied mother and child in Gaza over a Picasso painting, calling for an arms embargo on Israel.

Just Stop Oil and Youth Demand on Wednesday wrote an open letter to the National Museum Directors’ Council, offering to meet them at the Gallery for talks. It said its protests were part of a proud tradition dating back to the Suffragette movement, and its actions “cause small amounts of damage and disruption” to highlight global warming and the dangers of fossil fuels.

“The arts are unsuccessful in refuting climate denial. Politics has failed us. Resistance is our only remaining option,” the groups said.

Additional sources • AFP, Just Stop Oil