A group of museum leaders have published an open letter which calls for an end to protests carried out inside museums and galleries, particularly those involving attacks on artwork.
The National Museum Directors’ Council (NMDC), which represents the leaders of the UK’s national collections and major regional museums, broadly made reference to protests which have taken place in recent years.
The letter makes particular reference to the National Gallery, it says “two of these attacks have happened in the last two weeks, and that is why we have decided now is the moment for us to speak out.”
“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,” the letter reads.
Last week, a protest at the National Gallery saw Picasso’s ‘Motherhood’ (La Maternité) painting targeted by protestors, who covered it with a large photograph while demanding a two-way arms embargo on Israel.
The National Gallery told Advisor that no damage had been caused to the painting, and the room was reopened shortly after the demonstration.
No damage to Picasso masterpiece after National Gallery protest
It is the latest in a string of protests at museums, galleries, and heritage attractions.
Earlier this year the National Gallery saw protestors from different groups throw soup over Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers”,cover the bust of Queen Victoria in porridge and jam at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and cover part of Stonehenge in orange powder.
THe NMDC letter says protests in recent years 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 goes on “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 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.
“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.”
In 2022, an open letter published by the International Council of Museum (ICOM) called protests including works of art a “risky endangerment” of irreplaceable objects. The letter was signed by the directors of The National Gallery, British Museum and V&A.