The activist group Just Stop Oil has been going around the UK, exploiting its members’ antics in every way possible. Two members of the group were recently found guilty in a court hearing.
The Vandalisation of an 1889 Van Gogh Art Piece
In 2022, a duo from the Just Stop Oil activist group vandalised a Van Gogh Sunflowers painting of 1889 by pouring a can of tomato soup.
It’s Worth a Fortune
According to The Art Newspaper, Van Gogh’s Sunflowers art piece was sold in March 1987 at Christie’s London for £24 million. It is a historic and valuable work and is said to be one of Van Gogh’s most expensive pieces.
An Historic Piece
Van Gogh was a talented artist in the 1800s, and his work has fetched a handsome fortune to this day.
Despite the Historic Value
Even though the painting is valuable, not everyone shares that sentiment, as seen in the protest involving the two individuals.
Protesting Yells
The two culprits were two young women aged 21 and 20. The pair also glued one hand against the wall under the painting, with one yelling, “What is worth more, art or life?” and the other protester following suit with, “Is it worth more than food, more than justice,” The Guardian reported.
Where Are the Two Protestors Now?
Anna Holland and Phoebe Plummer were found guilty of criminal damage. Their sentence came nearly two years after pouring canned tomato soup onto the painting. The painting was inside the glass frame, and it has been confirmed that it wasn’t damaged, but they still committed a crime.
Video Footage
The protestors are seen in video footage, and they performed their stints in front of many witnesses present in the gallery at the time. They also wore Just Stop Oil t-shirts.
Denying the Charges
Sky News reported the two women had denied the charges against them in court.
Temporary Bail for the Two
Southwark Crown Court gave the young women bail until 27 September, after which they would need to serve their sentence.
Plummer and Holland Are Not the First
According to Sky News, Southwark Crown Court Judge Christopher Hehir had previously sentenced 58-year-old Roger Hallam, the founder of the activist group, to five years.
Charges to Hallam
Hallam was charged with conspiracy to cause public nuisance and for the disruption of the M25 for four days.
Four Members Also Sentenced
Four other members of the activist group, Lucia De Abreu (35), Daniel Shaw (38), Cressida Gethin (22), and Louise Lancaster (58), were sentenced to jail for four years.
Disrupting the Public
According to BBC News, the court ruled the protestors had caused over 50,000 hours of delayed traffic. Over 700,000 vehicles were impacted during the four days, and over 120 hours of congestion on the M25 in London.
Cost the State Police Over £1 Million
BBC News reported that the court ruled a heavy sentence based on the severity of the situation. The highway protest had cost the local police £1 million to manage the situation.
Economic Costs
The Southwark Crown Court also ruled that the activists had cost the economy over £700,000.
More Protests Involving Art
Just Stop Oil members also took to the John Constable art piece and glued themselves to the frame. This incident took place before the Van Gogh painting protest.
Young Protestors
Sky News said that the protestors involved with the John Constable piece were aged 23 and 22.
Worth £2 Million
According to the Gazette Standard, an oil painting by John Constable referred to as “fake,” was evaluated and found to be genuine and worth £2 million. Originally, the piece was bought for £35,000, but at the time, it was considered a fake piece.
The Masterpiece Is Worth £22 Million
Despite the first “opinion” about the painting’s worth, an auction saw it win a handsome prize of £22 Million.
Further Rulings From the Judge
While Plummer and Holland await their sentence on bail, the judge ruled that they cannot carry glue and other adhesives. The pair was also barred from visiting museums and art galleries.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Leanne Chan.