UK's National Gallery bans liquids after activist art attacks
Over the last two years, various liquids have been thrown at iconic paintings in the gallery on Trafalgar Square, including Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" and John Constable's "The Hay Wain"
The UK's National Gallery is banning all liquids except baby formula, expressed breast milk and prescription medicines.
Image: Justin Tallis / AFP©
The National Gallery in London said Thursday that it was banning liquids in a move to bolster security of its artworks after a spate of high-profile attacks by activists.
Over the last two years, various liquids have been thrown at iconic paintings in the gallery on Trafalgar Square, including Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" and John Constable's "The Hay Wain".
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From Friday, the gallery said all liquids would be banned, except baby formula, expressed breast milk and prescription medicines.
The 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.
Theatrical attacks on paintings and sit-in protests at the National Gallery have been a way for activists to protest the climate crisis and other causes, arguing that art is "worthless" if the climate and human life are threatened.
