The Carmen Tisch Incident
This painting got a lot of action!
Image: Unsplash
- Repair Cost
- Est. $10,000+ (art valued $30M+)
- Curator's Blood Pressure
- 100%
- Embarrassment Level
- 10/10
- Recovered?
- Restored
- Selfie Involved?
- No
In a single visit, an intoxicated Carmen Tisch allegedly punched, scratched, and slid her butt against a Clyfford Still painting valued in the tens of millions — and, prosecutors said, may have urinated on it (though she reportedly missed).
In 2012, artist Carmen Tisch made international headlines after defacing a painting by Clyfford Still at the Clyfford Still Museum. While under the influence of alcohol and synthetic drugs known as "bath salts," Tisch urinated on or near the canvas, it is still unknown how good her aim was?. She later pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and admitted struggling with addiction, telling reporters she was "ashamed" and "relieved" that she hadn't harmed anyone. She seems like a nice lady and really who hasn't felt this way one time or another? The incident became one of the most bizarre acts of museum vandalism in recent memory and sparked renewed discussions about museum security, mental health, and the vulnerability of priceless works of art.