Abstract expressionist urinator sentenced to probation

Police were initially unable to determine if Carmen Tisch urinated upon Clyfford Still’s 1957-J no.2. But she did plenty else to the $30m canvas, and was sentenced to two years probation last week for causing $10,000 worth of damage.

Tisch, 37, plead guilty to criminal mischief after scratching, punching and sliding her arse up and down the mid-century abstract expressionist masterpiece. In addition, she must enter an alcohol dependency treatment program and undergo counseling.

The painting, measuring a hefty 13×9′, is installed at Denver’s recently-opened Clyfford Still Museum, which hosts it and other work by the artist, who died in 1980. According to police reports, Tisch attacked the bold, brown-dominated composition at 3:40 p.m. on December 29, 2011. Investigators ultimately determined that no urine had touched it.