Police break into UK art gallery to rescue ‘unconscious woman’ who turned out to be an art installation

A London art gallery has caused a stir after Metropolitan police officers spotted an ‘unconscious woman’ through the window and proceeded to break down the door to rescue her. However, when the Met Officers went to aid the ‘woman’ who was slumped over a table, it was discovered that she was a mannequin made from foam filler and was part of a commissioned art installation.

A gallery worker at the Laz Emporium in Soho said she had just locked up and gone upstairs to make a cup of tea but was confused when she came downstairs to find the door off its hinges and two confused police officers. The realistic sculptural piece which goes by the name ‘Kristina’ is made from packing tape and foam filler and depicts the gallery owner’s sister, Kristina, passed out with her face in a plate of soup.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the Laz Emporium incident on November 25, saying ‘officers forced entry to the address, where they uncovered that the person was, in fact, a mannequin’.

The Met said officers were called at 5.32 pm “to concerns for the welfare of a person at locked business premises on Lexington Street”. Half an hour later, officers forced entry to the address where they uncovered that the person was a mannequin. A statement added: “The Met has a duty of care to respond when there are welfare concerns.”

The art has reportedly caused issues with paramedics being called out to assist ‘Kristina’ in October too, Artnet News reported.

Laz Emporium owner, Steve Lazarides commissioned the talking-point piece to sit at any dining table they were selling in his new gallery and shop which he opened in October 2021. The gallery is currently hosting ‘Yule by Sorry’, a show offering ‘off key Christmas fayre to offend the in-laws’ including art and prints by Lazarides and guest artists including Adam Neate, Teach and Jacob Taylor.