Cambodian-born French woman now faces criminal trial for leaving behind her lipstick kiss

Woman Faces Criminal Trial After Leaving Lipstick Kiss On $2 Million Painting

July 23, 2007
Linda Young - AHN News Writer

Paris, France (AHN) - A Cambodian-born French woman who left a smudge of lip stick on a white canvas painting she is suspected of kissing faces criminal prosecution.

The woman, who is herself a painter, stands accused of "damage to a work of art," by kissing it and leaving her lipstick on an otherwise bone white canvas. The painting, valued at $2 million, was on exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Avignon.

It was painted by American artist Cy Twombly. Twombly is known for abstract paintings that combine elements such as different painting and drawing techniques, with the use of repetitive lines, graffiti, letters and words.

[Cambodian-French] Woman ruins artwork with a kiss

July 22, 2007
AFP

A Cambodian-born French woman faces prosecution for criminal damage after kissing a painting by American artist Cy Twombly, leaving a lipstick imprint on the otherwise immaculate white canvas.

The untitled 3m x 2m work, valued at 2 million euros ($3.14 million), is part of an exhibition dedicated to the US painter in the southern French city of Avignon.

Thirty-year-old Sam Rindy, who visited the show with a friend on Thursday, told Agence France-Presse that she was so overcome by the white canvas that she kissed it.

"I stepped back. I found the painting even more beautiful," said Rindy.

"The artist left this white for me," she added.

Staff of the Lambert foundation, which owns the painting, took a different view.

They called the police and the woman, herself a painter, was arrested as she left the premises. She will appear in court on August 16 to face charges of criminal damage.

The exhibition, Blooming, runs until September 30.