An artwork depicting the penises of The Beatles has been defaced and pulled from an exhibition currently happening at a Liverpool museum.
Ultimate Classic Rock and NME reports artist Jonathan Gent created the piece of art – titled The Beatles in America – with the intention of auctioning the piece for children’s charity Claire House.
However, the penises, rendered in still-soft oil paint and labelled for each band member, have reportedly been “pressed and smudged” in an attack carried out by unknown visitors to the exhibition.
As a result, the artwork has been removed from display and specialists are assessing the damage, in order to determine whether the artwork can be auctioned as planned on October 17.
A museum spokesperson said the damage to the artwork was disheartening, especially considering it was to be auctioned for charity.
“The damage is all the more regrettable because along with other works in the exhibition the painting is due to be auctioned to raise funds for children’s charity Claire House,” the spokesperson said.
“The decision as to whether the work will be displayed again, and included in the auction, is now dependent on what can be done to return the work to its original condition.”
