The first official portrait of King Charles, currently on display in a London gallery, has been vandalized by activists from an animal rights group. Animal Rising acted to draw attention to alleged animal cruelty cases on farms certified by the RSPCA.
The Act of Vandalism
Activists from Animal Rising posted a video on their social media channels on Tuesday showing two members using a paint roller to stick signs over the monarch’s portrait. “With King Charles being such a big fan of Wallace and Gromit, we couldn’t think of a better way to draw his attention to the horrific scenes on RSPCA Assured farms,” an activist from the group explained to The Telegraph.
Public Reactions
The painting, created by artist Jonathon Yeo, depicts the king against a background of crimson-red brush strokes, sparking mixed reactions since its unveiling. The activists’ action, which covered the king’s head with an image of the British cartoon character Wallace from the “Wallace and Gromit” series, has provoked various responses from gallery visitors and the public alike.
Allegations Against the RSPCA
Animal Rising’s action highlights a recent report by the group investigating 45 farms whose welfare standards are guaranteed by the RSPCA. The group described their findings as “damning,” alleging they found “severe animal cruelty” at all the farms visited. “We understand that Animal Rising, like us, want the best for animals,” the RSPCA responded in a statement provided to CNN.
Gallery’s Response
Philip Mould, owner of the gallery where the portrait is on display, assured CNN that the painting sustained no damage as a layer of Perspex protected it. “The adhesive stickers used by the activists stayed on the portrait for less than ten seconds,” Mould stated. The gallery staff will remain “on alert” after the incident, although there are no plans to curtail the display of the painting.
The vandalism of King Charles’ first official portrait has sparked controversy and debate over the ethics and effectiveness of such actions in promoting animal rights. While Animal Rising seeks to provoke change in the treatment of animals, the RSPCA and the gallery continue to defend their practices and the integrity of their exhibitions.
