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Australian teen charged over googly-eyed sculpture vandalism
A 19-year-old Australian woman appeared in court Tuesday over allegations she defaced a beloved public sculpture by affixing oversized googly eyes to its surface, authorities confirmed.
Court appearance and charges
Amelia Vanderhorst faced Mount Gambier Magistrates Court via phone, charged with one count of property damage stemming from a September incident. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Vanderhorst did not enter a plea, citing illness, and was instructed to secure legal representation before her next hearing in December.
Damage to the 'Blue Blob' sculpture
The sculpture-a large blue abstraction of a mythical creature, locally dubbed the 'Blue Blob'-was allegedly vandalized with adhesive artificial eyes. CCTV footage captured in September showed a person placing the stickers on the artwork, the City of Mount Gambier confirmed in a statement at the time.
Mayor Lynette Martin condemned the act as 'inappropriate and disrespectful,' emphasizing that repairs would be costly due to the adhesive's potential to damage the sculpture during removal. 'This is not harmless fun-it is expensive and frustrating for the community that values Cast in Blue,' she stated in mid-September.
Legal and financial consequences
The council announced plans to pursue 'significant' repair costs from those responsible. The artwork, which cost A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000) to commission, depicts a mythical megafauna inspired by an ancient marsupial anteater discovered in local caves-described by its designers as 'massive, lumbering, and fascinating.'
Community reaction
Since its installation, the sculpture has sparked divided opinions among locals, with debates centering on its design and price tag. Despite initial skepticism, many residents have since embraced the piece as a distinctive landmark.
'This wilful damage to a valued public artwork is inappropriate and disrespectful. It is not harmless fun, it is costly.'
Lynette Martin, Mayor of Mount Gambier
