Greenpeace activists installed a haunting new artwork created by legendary artist, Anish Kapoor onto an active Shell platform in the remote North Sea.
What happened?
The artwork, called BUTCHERED, shows 1,000 litres of blood-red liquid gushing onto a 12m x 8m canvas fastened to the gas platform, creating a vast crimson stain.
BUTCHERED symbolises the deep wounds the fossil fuel industry has left on our planet – and the harm it continues to cause people, in its relentless pursuit of profit. Deadly heatwaves, drought and wildfires are hitting people around the world. BUTCHERED brings the destruction right back to where it starts.
It’s time for governments to step in, hold fossil fuel giants to account and make them pay for the enormous damage they’re causing.
This is the first time that a fine art piece has been installed on an active fossil fuel platform anywhere in the world.
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Why we took action
- Climate chaos is escalating. This year alone, we’ve seen dangerous droughts, fires and floods in the UK and around the world.
- Shell is fueling it. They’ve already caused at least $1.42 trillion in climate damage.
- Shell is planning 700 new oil and gas fields. They would unleash 10.8 billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere — enough to blow 5% of the world’s remaining carbon budget.
- The oil industry has known about climate change since 1959. Instead of raising the alarm, they chose lies, denial, and delay.
- Oil giants like Shell have made billions from climate destruction. £54bn in profits since the war in Ukraine — and just £1.2bn paid in UK tax.
They won’t stop by themselves. Governments must act — and make them pay.
About the artwork and the artist
- BUTCHERED is an original Anish Kapoor artwork created in response to a Greenpeace campaign and installed by Greenpeace activists, and we have collaborated every step of the way on production and delivery.
- Anish Kapoor is a visionary, world famous artist with a history of taking a stand on important issues. In 2019, he joined other artists in calling on London’s National Portrait Gallery to cut ties with oil giant BP.
He is the latest figure to join the Polluters Pay Pact, a global Greenpeace initiative backed by firefighters, political leaders, unions, humanitarian groups and tens of thousands of people, calling on governments to make big polluters pay for the climate damage they’ve caused.
“I wanted to make something visual, physical, visceral to reflect the butchery they are inflicting on our planet: a visual scream that gives voice to the calamitous cost of the climate crisis, often on the most marginalised communities across the globe. BUTCHERED is also a tribute to the heroic work done in opposition to this destruction, and to the tireless activists who choose to disrupt, disagree and disobey.”
Anish Kapoor
What we’re calling for
Fossil fuel companies like Shell should be made to pay for the damage they have knowingly caused. They won’t do this on their own – it’s time for governments to step in and hold them to account.
Governments must introduce new taxes and fines on big polluters to help communities at home and around the world rebuild from climate disasters and invest in climate solutions.
Take action: sign the Polluters Pay Pact
Over 240,000 people have already signed the Polluters Pay Pact calling on the government to make oil, coal and gas corporations pay their fair share for the damages they cause. Will you join them?
Greenpeace’s approach to protest
For Greenpeace, actions like this are a last resort, and the decision to stage a protest is never taken lightly.
When you see a government or company being targeted by our activists, it’s a sure sign that they’re refusing to stop harming people and nature, despite coming under huge pressure to do so.
Safety and security
As with all our protests, this one was carefully planned by highly trained staff and activists, with the highest regard for the safety of everyone involved.
- The Greenpeace climbers are using gas monitors and spark-free ATEX gear, and keeping clear of the high-risk zones on the platform. They’re following industry safety standards.
- The ‘blood’ used to create the work is predominantly made from seawater, combined with beetroot powder, organic decaf instant coffee granules and a biodegradable, food-based pond dye. The combination is non-toxic and biodegradable and will rapidly disperse.
- For the safe use of the hose, Greenpeace consulted with an active firefighter.