A 19-year-old woman facing criminal charges for allegedly vandalizing a controversial $136,000 public sculpture in Mount Gambier, South Australia, has launched an online fundraising campaign to cover her legal expenses. Amelia Vanderhorst was charged with one count of property damage after allegedly gluing oversized googly eyes onto the "Cast in Blue" sculpture on September 13, 2024.
The sculpture, which has been a source of community division since its installation in July, was damaged when police allege Vanderhorst was recklessly indifferent to whether her actions could harm the artwork. The incident was reported to authorities by the local council, with initial repair cost estimates coming in at less than $2,500. Court documents later revealed the actual damage amounted to $1,800, caused when the googly eyes were torn off, leaving behind glue residue and chipped paint on the sculpture's surface.
Vanderhorst appeared before the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on November 4, where she did not enter a plea. The magistrate advised her to obtain legal representation before her next court appearance scheduled for December. On the same day as her court hearing, the teenager launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking $900 to pay for a lawyer, writing in her appeal: "I do not have the funds for a lawyer as I am only young and jobless."
As of Friday, the crowdfunding campaign had successfully raised $759 from 19 donors, bringing Vanderhorst close to her financial goal. The public response to her fundraising effort reflects the mixed community sentiment surrounding both the sculpture and the vandalism incident that has garnered significant local attention.
The "Cast in Blue" sculpture was created by artists Tom Proctor and Mitch Walker of Huna Studios, who described their work as being inspired by fossilized megafauna and the town's famous Blue Lake. The artists characterized their creation as "a creature drawn from imagined histories, a blend of memory, ecology and invention," though the abstract piece has proven divisive among local residents since its unveiling.
Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin strongly condemned the vandalism, emphasizing that community disagreement over the artwork did not justify damaging public property. "People don't have to like it, but they don't have to be creating willful damage in this way," Martin stated. The mayor's comments highlight the ongoing tension between artistic expression in public spaces and community acceptance of contemporary art installations.
The local council has confirmed that restoration work on the sculpture is currently underway, though officials have warned that the repair process will result in significant expenses for the municipality. The incident has sparked broader discussions about public art, community engagement, and the appropriate ways to express dissatisfaction with municipal spending decisions on cultural projects.
