**Young Woman Fined After Graffiti Incident on Controversial Sculpture**
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An Australian woman has been convicted for vandalising a sculpture worth $95,000 by affixing googly eyes to it while allegedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Amelia Vanderhorst, aged 20, appeared at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on 24th March, where her guilty plea to a graffiti charge was accepted.
The offending act took place in September 2025 and was captured on a video that subsequently went viral. Vanderhorst posted her antics online, drawing attention to the artwork, dubbed ‘Cast in Blue’ but colloquially referred to as the “Blue Blob.” The court has now fined her $1,400 and required her to complete 60 hours of community service.
Defending her in court, solicitor Michael Hill described the decision to decorate the statue with googly eyes as a misguided attempt to make it look “funny.” He added that his client expressed deep regret over her actions, labelling the incident as “one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done.” Reports stated that Vanderhorst had been under the influence of MDMA and a significant quantity of vodka at the time of the offence.
Hill further revealed that Vanderhorst has taken meaningful steps since the incident to address the issues leading to her behaviour, including reducing her substance use and focusing on stabilising her personal circumstances. He informed the court that she has recently started a new relationship and has been abstinent from drugs, showing her commitment to making better choices in the future.
The magistrate presiding over the case, Kylie Schulz, acknowledged Vanderhorst’s remorse but pointed out that her actions had effectively mocked the artistic intent of the sculpture and disrespected the artist. The public art piece was unveiled in July 2025 and has faced scrutiny for its hefty price tag. Following the incident, the statue required repairs amounting to $2,090 to restore it to its original condition.
In a previous appearance in court in November, Vanderhorst was advised to seek assistance to cover her legal costs. She had initiated a GoFundMe campaign, appealing for financial help as she described herself as “young and jobless.” The fundraiser, which garnered around $1,900, was later taken down. Vanderhorst stated on the platform that she did not intend to offend anyone and regretted her actions, asking for public support.
Despite the financial assistance received through crowdfunding, Hill later informed the court that Vanderhorst had returned all the funds in December, indicating her desire to move forward positively.
Authorities in Mount Gambier, along with the South Australia Police and the local Magistrates Court, have yet to respond to inquiries regarding the incident. Meanwhile, the case has sparked discussion around the broader implications of art vandalism and community responsibility.
As Vanderhorst embarks on her community service, she will undoubtedly reflect on the circumstances that led to her conviction and the lessons learned from this unusual and costly mistake. The incident has not only impacted her life but has also reignited debate about the value of public art and the challenges that arise from its perception in society.