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Two protesters from a climate group called Just Stop Oil were arrested Friday after they threw soup on Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers masterpiece painting at the National Gallery in London.
The activists can be seen in a video posted on Just Stop Oil's Instagram page splashing Heinz tomato soup onto the famous artwork before gluing their hands to the wall.
"What is worth more, art or life? Is it worth more than food? Worth more than justice?" one of the protesters can be heard saying in the Instagram video.
She continued, "Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting or the protection of our planet and people? The cost of living crisis is part of the cost of oil crisis."
The National Gallery released a statement following the incident that indicated the two protesters were arrested. Photos also show the two being escorted away from the gallery by police officers.
"The pair appeared to glue themselves to the wall adjacent to Van Gogh's Sunflowers (1888). They also threw a red substance—what appears to be tomato soup—over the painting," the National Gallery's statement said. "The room was cleared of visitors and police were called."
The statement added, "There is some minor damage to the frame but the painting is unharmed."
In a press release, Just Stop Oil identified the arrested protesters as Phoebe Plummer, 21, and Anna Holland, 20. The group's statement also called for the U.K. government to halt all new oil and gas projects in the country while adding that Friday's incident at the gallery was done as "a response to the government's inaction on both the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis."
The group noted its recent protest activities come as the country granted new licenses for over 100 new oil and gas projects while also raising energy prices in a move that would affect many households.
Just Stop Oil also warned of future protests similar to what occurred at the National Gallery.
"This is not a one day event, this is an act of resistance against a criminal government and their genocidal death project. Our supporters will be returning—today, tomorrow and the next day—and the next day after that—and every day until our demand is met: no new oil and gas in the U.K.," the climate activists posted online.
London's Metropolitan Police confirmed to the Associated Press that they arrested two people on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass.
Newsweek reached out to the National Gallery and Just Stop Oil for comment.
Update 10/14/22 12:45 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include more information.
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Jon Jackson is a News Editor at Newsweek based in New York. His focus is on reporting on the Ukraine ... Read more