Just Stop Oil Activists Convicted for Vandalizing Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers'

Two Just Stop Oil activists, Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland, have been convicted of criminal damage for throwing soup on Vincent van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' at the National Gallery. The pair will be sentenced on 27 September and have been told to prepare for prison. Their protest aimed to highlight climate change and the cost-of-living crisis.

Two activists from the group Just Stop Oil (JSO), Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland, both 22, have been found guilty of criminal damage after throwing tomato soup on Vincent van Gogh's painting 'Sunflowers' at the National Gallery in London.

The incident took place in October 2022, and the gallery stated that the gold-coloured frame of the glass-covered painting was damaged.

At Southwark Crown Court, Judge Christopher Hehir informed the pair to prepare for imprisonment, with sentencing set for 27 September.

Plummer and Holland are restricted from carrying adhesive substances and from visiting galleries or museums.

The act was a climate change protest aimed at highlighting the cost-of-living crisis and environmental issues.

Following the verdict, Holland's solicitor expressed disappointment and indicated a possible appeal.

The attacked painting, a part of the National Gallery’s collection for 100 years, is one of four sunflower still lifes Van Gogh created in 1888.