Two activists staged a protest at the National Gallery in London on Oct 11, pasting a photograph of a Palestinian mother and child over the protective glass of Pablo Picasso’s 1901 painting Motherhood (La Maternité). The demonstration, aimed at drawing attention to the dangers faced by families in Gaza, escalated when the activists poured red paint on the gallery floor, symbolizing the bloodshed in the region.
The activists, identified as Jai Halai, a 23-year-old National Health Service employee, and Monday-Malachi Rosenfeld, a 21-year-old student, were quickly apprehended by authorities. A video posted on the Youth Demand X social media page shows Rosenfeld seated in front of the faux-blood splatter, addressing the onlookers. “All of your taxes are being used to kill entire families in Gaza. They say this is in the Jewish name, but this has nothing to do with us,” Rosenfeld declared.
The protest has sparked intense debate, highlighting the escalating tensions surrounding the conflict in Gaza. No damage was reported to the painting, which remains protected by a glass cover. However, the National Gallery has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. The activists were arrested on charges of criminal damage and public disturbance.
The event has drawn widespread attention, adding to the ongoing global protests over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as calls for intervention grow louder.
The museum confirmed no damage was caused to any other artwork in the room.
