Tag Archives: oceania

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Russian security guard draws on prized artwork

A Russian gallery says one of its security guards has vandalised an avant-garde painting on loan from the country’s top art repository by drawing eyes on the picture's deliberately featureless faces.

It said the damage can be repaired.

The Yeltsin Center in Ekaterinburg said the vandalism of the painting “Three Figures” by Anna Leporskaya occurred December 7.

It said the suspected culprit worked for a private company providing security at the gallery.

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A fragment of the painting shows the eyes drawn on the Three Figures by Anna Leporskaya. (The Art Newspaper Russia via AP)

The painting, dating from the 1930s, shows three torsos and heads with hair but no facial features; the vandal drew eyes on two of them with a ballpoint pen.

The Yeltsin Center said the painting has been sent for restoration to the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, which owns it.

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The "Three Figures" was on loan from the country's top art repository. It's worth more than AU$1 million. (The Art Newspaper Russia via AP)

The Russian news site RBK said a criminal case has been opened on charges that carry a sentence of up to three months in prison. The picture had been reportedly insured for 74.9 million rubles (more than AU$1 million).

Ms Leporskaya, who lived from 1900-1982, was a student of Kazimir Malevich, a seminal Russian abstract artist best known for his 1915 work “Black Square.”

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Koalas officially an 'endangered' species in two states and territory

Koalas are officially an endangered species at a higher risk of extinction in two states and a territory.

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley announced the species' listing would move from vulnerable to endangered in line with recommendations from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee.

"Today I am increasing the protection for koalas in NSW, the ACT and Queensland listing them as endangered rather than their previous designation of vulnerable," Ms Ley said in a statement.

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More than 60,000 koalas were impacted in the bushfire crisis.

Ms Ley explained prolonged drought, followed by the "Black Summer" bushfires of 2019/2020, and impacts of disease and land clearing over the past 20 years have led to a decline in the population.

More than 60,000 koalas were killed or affected by the Black Summer bushfires, a report found in 2020.

Sam Mitchell owner of the Kangaroo Island WildliSam Mitchell owner of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park in the Parndana region carries a dead koala and kangaroo to a mass grave site on January 08, 2020 on Kangaroo Island, Australia.

It's estimated nearly one-third of the east coast population were lost in the three years from 2018 to 2021.

Ms Ley said the announcement follows a $50 million commitment to koala conservation and protection.

"We are taking unprecedented action to protect the koala, working with scientists, medical researchers, veterinarians, communities, states, local governments and Traditional Owners," she said.

Koala mother and joey seeking refuge on a bulldozed logpile, near Kin Kin Queensland.

Decision 'a double-edged sword'

International Fund for Animal Welfare Wildlife Campaign Manager Josey Sharrad said the decision is a "double-edged sword".

"We should never have allowed things to get to the point where we are at risk of losing a national icon," Ms Sharrad said.

"If we can't protect an iconic species endemic to Australia, what chance do lesser-known but no less important species have?

"The bushfires were the final straw.

"This must be a wake-up call to Australia and the government to move much faster to protect critical habitat from development and land-clearing and seriously address the impacts of climate change."

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A koala is seen resting in a tree in Swan Bay, NSW.

WWF-Australia conservation scientist Dr Stuart Blanch has called on federal and state governments to commit to doubling koala numbers on the east coast by 2050.

"Koalas have gone from no-listing to vulnerable to endangered within a decade. That is a shockingly fast decline," Dr Blanch said.

"Today's decision is welcome, but it won't stop koalas from sliding towards extinction unless it's accompanied by stronger laws and landholder incentives to protect their forest homes.

"Koala numbers have halved in the past 20 years and new SLATS data shows land clearing is continuing in Queensland at an alarming rate. We must turn this trend around."

The koala population in south-east Queensland is projected to shrink to just 8000 in 2032, when Brisbane hosts the Olympic Games.

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Skateboarder dragged 20 metres in Melbourne hit-run

Police have released CCTV vision of a hit-and-run that occurred in Melbourne last month in a bid to identify the unknown driver.

A 21-year-old was riding a skateboard in Brunswick West on January 18 when he was hit by a white car and dragged approximately 20m.

"The Brunswick West man heard a vehicle approach him from behind before the car accelerated and collided with him, causing him to mount the bonnet," police said in a statement.

The skateboarder heard the car behind him before it accelerated and collided with him.

The driver failed to stop and is still outstanding.

It's believed the driver was behind the wheel of an early 2000s white Nissan Pulsar.

The car is believed to be an early 2000s white Nissan Pulsar.

The skateboarder was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

He is still recovering from a broken ankle and wrist.

Any witnesses, or anyone who recognises the car or its driver, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.