Denver, Colorado - Longtime alcoholism is plaguing Carmen Tisch and likely led to her strange behavior the day she allegedly damaged a $30 million painting at the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, her mother said. The art collector of ArtKabinett network has seen similar acts of art vandalism recently.
During Tisch's first court appearance last week, Mary Thompson broke down in tears describing the trouble alcohol has caused her daughter.
Tisch, 36, was arrested at the museum on Dec. 29 after police say she punched the painting, slid down it and urinated on herself with her pants down.
During her hearing prosecutor Kandace Gerdes noted there were numerous people in the museum gallery at the time who cautioned Tisch to control herself to no avail.
The painting, shown here, Still's "1957-J-No. 2." is valued at a minimum of $30 million and about $10,000 in damage was done to it during the incident.
"She is addicted to alcohol and we have been trying to get her some help," Thompson said. "We just want to help her. Hopefully we are going to get her into treatment."
Her mother did not say what she was doing at the museum but said she is a talented tattoo artist and the actions do not represent her daughter's true self.
Tisch is charged with criminal mischief and her bond was reduced this morning from $20,000 to $5,000.
Museum officials said they believe security is adequate for the facility and that they regularly evaluate security to protect the collection and visitors. Museum spokeswoman Regan Petersen said in a statement that its guards "acted swiftly and appropriately; the police were summoned immediately and the offender was taken into custody."
Denver acquired the collection in stiff competition by promising to build a facility for the paintings and sculptures.
Clyfford Still, who died in 1980, specified in his will that his estate had to go to an American city willing to establish a permanent museum for his work. He was one of the first abstract expressionist artists following World War II.
The museum has raised $32 million in private donations for its building, endowment and operations, Petersen said. The city of Denver also contributed about $99 million from an auction of four Still works.
Thompson arrived in court with Tisch's 71-year-old father and her brother and a treatment counselor who said she was working to get Tish into a program.
Judge Andrew S. Armatas ordered Tisch to alcohol monitoring if she does post bond. Tisch has a prior conviction for driving under the influence in 2008.
Her next court appearance is for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 23.
