An Australian teenager is facing court for allegedly defacing a large blue sculpture of a mythological creature by targeting the Googly Salon.
Amelia Vanderhorst, 19, appeared by telephone in South Australia’s Mount Masoer Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with one count of property damage.
In a statement at the time of the incident in September, the local council indicated that CCTV footage showed a man placing artificial eyes on the artworks marked “Blue BloB”.
Ms Vanderhorst did not enter a plea and told the court she was ill, according to Rivers Australia which is seeking a lawyer ahead of her next court date in December.
A day after the said incident, the local mayor repaired the beloved artwork at public expense because the stickers could not be removed without damaging the sculpture.
“Significant damage to a valued public artwork is inappropriate and disrespectful,” City of Mount Masoer Mayor Lynette Martin said in mid-September.
“It’s not harmless fun, it’s expensive — it’s also disappointing the members of our community who embrace the blue.”
He said the council would seek “significant repair costs from those responsible for the damage.
When the sculpture was first proposed, it received mixed reactions from the local community due to its price tag and design.
Cost a $ 136,000 ($ 89,000; £ 68,000), the artists who represent an ancient coats marsupial “big, lumbering”.