Still Life - Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers 1888

Art or Life? 🖼️🌱 Art has been a target for protest, damage, and destruction for centuries. The Byzantine Iconoclasms of the 8th and 9th centuries were periods marked by the destruction of religious images, while symbols of monarchy were attacked throughout the French Revolution. 🪓 On 14 October 2022, Vincent Van Gogh’s still life ‘Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers’ (1888) was targeted by two Just Stop Oil activists. The two protestors launched tins of tomato soup at the iconic oil painting in London’s National Gallery, before gluing themselves to the gold frame. 🥫 This painting is the fourth variation of ‘Sunflowers’ painted by Van Gogh (1853-1890). The series was painted to be hung from the walls of the artist’s house in the South of France. Completed in the signature vivid colouring and blocky brushstrokes associated with Van Gogh, ‘Sunflowers’ (1888) is among the most celebrated images of the nineteenth century. So why was it targeted by Just Stop Oil? 🎨 Just Stop Oil is a group focused on climate change, especially the human impacts of fossil fuel licensing. By targeting such a famous painting, the activists aimed to increase the visibility of their cause. ‘What is worth more, art or life?’ demanded one of the activists. ‘Is it worth more than food? More than justice? Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting or the protection of our planet and people?’ 🌎 This statement raises essential questions surrounding our values and priorities in a time of climate emergency. Since Van Gogh created this piece, the average earth temperature has increased at a rate of 0.06 degrees Celsius per decade. This might not seem significant, but it means that our planet is now at least 1.2 degrees hotter than it was prior to the Industrial Revolution! 🔥 As the painting was covered with glass, it was undamaged by the soup. Despite this, the two activists received jail terms of 20 months and 24 months respectively. Was this punishment justified? Why do you think their actions were so controversial? 👇💭 Editor: Lucy Jude Grantham