Kristina Roberts
Since the demonstrations damaged and sought to damage several other priceless artworks, the National Gallery in London is imposing more stringent security policies by prohibiting most liquids from entering, excepting baby formula, expressed milk, and prescription medications. Guarding invaluable collections and safety for everyone together are both strong interests in pursuing this step.
All entrance points of the gallery will be provided with metal detectors, and all handbags will be examined. Smaller handbags have also been asked for by the gallery as visitors are encouraged to carry on only absolutely essential items so that security checks can be swifter. Other measures include not to present for exhibition any objects or symbols which are deemed to be directly related to organizations that could potentially target the collection of the gallery in the future. Campaigning literature is prohibited as well.
These policies came after a string of protests and attacks on the art in the gallery. Five attacks, which targeted some of the gallery’s most famous art works, occurred since July 2022. In fact, two of these incidents occurred within just the last two weeks. The most famous incident took place last month when activists from the group Just Stop Oil threw soup at two paintings of Vincent van Gogh. This happened a mere week after other members of the group were jailed for vandalising the frame of Van Gogh’s masterpiece Sunflowers.
According to the gallery, attacks damage the artwork themselves but also bother the visitors and staff who have to explore its mission of making art accessible to everybody. The gallery explained in its statement releasing new measures on its website, saying, “These 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.”
The concern of sharing free access to collections was central to the aims of the gallery, so that people can experience some of humanity’s most significant cultural achievements. The latest attacks, however, have made it necessary for the institution to rethink how it can manage access and protection on its collections. The collection we hold is irreplaceable, and with each attack we had to weigh the need for accessibility against the necessity of protecting these fragile objects for future generations,”: the statement continued.
This makes the gallery be even more aggressive in protecting its art, visitors, and staff as it faces these incidents that seem to be getting more recurrent. “Sadly, we’ve come to this place where we’ve had to take action to protect our visitors, staff, and collections.”
The new rules commence on Friday, and the gallery has made it amply clear that these measures are aimed at ensuring future generations get to enjoy its vast collection without the fear of damage or destruction.
