articles/Rothko+vandal+jailed

Rothko vandal jailed

The man who defaced one of Rothko’s Seagram mural at Tate Modern has been sentenced to two years in prison

By Javier Pes. Web only
Published online: 13 December 2012

Wlodzimierz Umaniec, also known as Vladimir Umanets

A London judge has jailed for two years the man who vandalised a painting in Tate Modern by Mark Rothko.

Wlodzimierz Umaniec, also known as Vladimir Umanets, a 26-year-old British-based, Polish national had pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

At the Inner London Crown Court today, 13 December, the judge Roger Chapple said that Umaniec’s actions were “entirely deliberate, planned and intentional” when on 7 October he daubed in black ink the words “A Potential Piece of Yellowism” and his signature on one of Rothko's Seagram murals, Black on Maroon, 1958.

Restoring the painting presents a challenge for the Tate's conservators and the work is expected to be off display for perhaps as long as its attacker's custodial sentence. A Tate spokesman says: "It is pleased that the court has recognised the severity of this incident and its consequences."

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Comments

30 Jan 13
20:39 CET

CARL, MIAMI

The "stiff" penalty he will get will be in prison.

19 Jan 13
16:46 CET

DAVE DRIVER, GENT

Irritating person, looks like he takes himself too seriously, despite the idiocy of his "yellowism" slogan. Prison however is a waste of taxpayers money. He should be made to scrub graffitti of toilet walls.

28 Dec 12
21:31 CET

MOLLY MARCH, NEW YORK

I agree with the former comment posted - (punishment not severe enough). In addition, the Art Newspaper should NOT be publishing his Justin Timberlake want-to-be/Rap Monster photograph - This is what he desires most.

14 Dec 12
3:53 CET

MARK PAGE, MANCHESTER

I fear that we will have not seen the last of these children of the X FACTOR culture "artists".

14 Dec 12
3:54 CET

JAMES MOENING, EASTON

Am I alone in thinking the penalty wasn't stiff enough?

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Am I alone in thinking the penalty wasn't stiff enough?...

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