UK museum directors have released an open letter in response to the recent protests by climate activists targeting famous artworks in museums.
The National Museum Directors’ Council (NMDC) represents the leaders of the UK’s national collections and museums.
In the letter, it writes: “Over the past few years UK museums and galleries, the artworks they contain, and by extension the people who visit and those who work there, have increasingly become the targets of protest action.
“Whilst we respect the right for people to protest, and are often sympathetic to the cause, these attacks have to stop.
“They are hugely damaging to the reputation of UK museums and cause enormous stress for colleagues at every level of an organisation, along with visitors who now no longer feel safe visiting the nation’s finest museums and galleries.”
The letter goes on to cite “five separate attacks” at the National Gallery since July 2022, on paintings by artists like Vincent van Gogh, John Constable and Diego Velázquez.
“Such attacks have caused physical damage to the artworks, distress to visitors and staff alike, and disruption to our collective mission to ensure great art and artefacts are available for everyone, everywhere to enjoy,” the letter adds.
As two of these demonstrations have taken place in the past two weeks (both at the National Gallery), the council has decided that “now is the moment for us to speak out”.
The council is referring to soup being thrown over two paintings at the National Gallery late last month by three protesters with Just Stop Oil.
Recent protests at National Gallery
The second protest took place on 9 October and involved two activists from Youth Demand pasting a photo of a mother and child from Gaza over the protective glass of a Pablo Picasso work.
The NMDC’s letter continues: “Our UK museums and galleries are an integral part of society, where free access allows everyone to be inspired by humanity’s greatest achievements.
“The collections we hold are irreplaceable and with each attack we are forced to consider putting more barriers between the people and their artworks to preserve these fragile objects for future generations.”
It adds: “The world is currently in a very dark place, but these demonstrations now need to be taken away from our museums and galleries so that they can continue to provide light and solace to all.”
Just Stop Oil supporter Eddie Whittingham discussed how radical action works to change public opinion and government policy at last year’s greenloop, the sustainability in visitor attractions conference.
Images courtesy of Just Stop Oil / National Gallery
