Nikos Papadopoulos on Vandalism at the National Gallery: These Nonsense Are Not Art

Nikos Papadopoulos continues to defend his act of vandalizing artworks at the National Gallery. Speaking to Star, the NIKI party MP emphasized that he had to protect children from what he perceives as defilement. He stated, ‘The result, I believe, justified me. The act is not something I enjoy; I am a very peaceful person and a father who wants to set a good example. However, when these children are exposed to such defilements, it was my responsibility to stop them since no other means worked.’ Papadopoulos questioned whether these ‘nonsense’ qualify as art, particularly criticizing pieces that insult religious symbols like the Virgin Mary. Professor Ioannis Panagiotopoulos echoed similar sentiments, stating that art should not desecrate symbols of faith. Meanwhile, Angelos Papadimitriou, an artist and member of the National Gallery’s board, insists there must be legal consequences for such actions.