A 19-year-old Australian teenager, Amelia Vanderhorst, has been brought to court for allegedly defacing a prominent public sculpture by attaching googly eyes to it. The incident, which occurred in September, involved a large blue sculpture of a mythical creature, locally nicknamed the ‘Blue Blob,’ located in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Vanderhorst appeared via phone at the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Tuesday, facing one count of property damage. She did not enter a plea and cited illness as her reason for not participating fully, with the magistrate advising her to seek legal representation before her next court appearance in December. The local council reported that CCTV footage captured the act, and the artificial eyes could not be removed without causing further damage to the artwork. The mayor, Lynette Martin, condemned the act as ‘inappropriate and disrespectful,’ emphasizing the costly repairs required. The sculpture, officially named ‘Cast in Blue,’ was inspired by an ancient marsupial ant-eater and cost A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000) to create. While it initially received mixed reactions from the community, it has since become a cherished piece of public art. The council intends to pursue the responsible party for the significant repair costs.
Australian teen charged over allegedly sticking googly eyes on ‘Blue Blob’ artwork
