Woman ‘raped’ €2m artwork, claims curator

A FRENCH museum curator yesterday accused a Frenchwoman of “raping” a €2 million artwork by US artist, Cy Twombly, by planting a lipstick-red kiss on its pristine white canvas.

Cambodian-born Sam Rindy, 30, was arrested and faces prosecution for criminal damage after allegedly kissing the painting last week, leaving a lip-shaped stain on its otherwise immaculate surface.

The young woman, herself an artist, says she was overcome by the work’s power.

“I found the painting even more beautiful afterwards,” she said.

But Eric Mezil, who curated the exhibition of works by the renowned, Virginia-born abstract artist, in the southern French city of Avignon, told the media: “This is vandalism, a rape — she has no idea what she has done.

“She talks about love, but this is rape. She needs to understand what an artist’s intellectual property means.”

Mr Mezil added that Mr Twombly was “devastated” by the incident.

“This woman vandalised the work in a kind of performance... There is very little chance we will be able to restore it,” said Mr Mezil.

“Lipstick contains fat and chemicals, and red is the most violent colour — this red is indelible.”

The untitled work, 3m by 2m, is valued at €2m.

It has been removed from the exhibition, called Blooming, which runs until September 30.

It has been taken to an expert for an assessment.

Mr Mezil said he had received messages of support from several US museums and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, which has had to deal with similar incidents.