[JEANSELLEM VIEWER] — LINDA HAVANDE KVINNA 5 ÖRE 2 ÄGG MYNDIGHETERNA VÄGRAR HJÄLPA 22.05.1975 — Categories: visual — Keywords: Galerie S:t Petri, Jean Sellem, archive — Category: visual — <p>Saturday, 24 May 1975</p><p><br></p> — LINDA, 23, A LIVING STATUE IN PROTEST AGAINST THE AUTHORITIESBy MATS NIHLÉNLUND: She is eight months pregnant. All she owns is five öre and two eggs. Now Galerie S:t Petri in Lund has put her on display! For five hours she sat upright on a chair. A protest against the authorities’ refusal to give her money.— This is my last chance, said the desperate female “sculpture”, Linda Lowery, 23, from England.— We have referred her to the British Consulate, says acting social welfare inspector Claes Bolling. You cannot come to Sweden without money and without a work permit and then ask the social authorities for help.Next week Linda’s husband, who is an artist and has an old work permit, will receive money. Until then, the couple do not have a single öre, apart from the five-öre coin and the two eggs.MONEY FOR FOOD— My parents are dead and I have no relatives in England who can help me, says Linda. All I am asking for is money for food for the next few days. After that we will manage on our own.— Two friends invited us. We are allowed to borrow their flat in Lund; they themselves are away. We had no idea that we had to obtain work permits before coming to Sweden.Jean Sellem, the gallery’s owner, explains his somewhat unusual exhibition as follows:— I find it outrageous that Linda, despite her pregnancy and being in an emergency situation, has been refused assistance by the social authorities in Lund.IMPORTANT— I consider it important, through this sculpture at Galerie S:t Petri, to point out the shortcomings of the rules governing the city authorities — rules that often result in inhuman conduct. One must be less social and more human! The actions of the social welfare administration in this case cannot in any way be excused.— I hope that this action will result in Linda receiving immediate help from the authorities.[Photo caption]Linda, 23, a living statue protesting against the authorities. — — — <p><em style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17);">23.5.1975</em></p> — A cry for help is Linda Lowery’s appearance as a living sculpture. Her only possessions, two eggs and a five-öre coin, are displayed with her on the platform.Five öre and two eggs...that is all she ownsLinda Lowery, 23, from Newcastle in England, is sitting on a chair at Galerie S:t Petri in Lund. In front of Linda is everything she currently owns: two eggs and a five-öre coin.Linda appears as a female sculpture, eight months pregnant. The exhibition is a desperate attempt to draw attention to a difficult situation.— I need help now. It is a question of temporary support for one week. My husband, who is an artist, has found work in Lund, but we are completely penniless until he receives his first salary, Linda says sadly.— I have contacted the social welfare authorities in Lund, but I receive no help from them.Linda Lowery left England together with her husband on 14 April. They want to build a future for themselves in Sweden. The beginning, however, has been difficult. Today the couple is completely without resources in Lund.EMERGENCY SITUATION— The reason Linda is being exhibited at Galerie S:t Petri is that, despite her pregnancy and the emergency situation she is in, she has been refused support by the social authorities in Lund, says Jean Sellem, proprietor of Galerie S:t Petri.— It is unreasonable to refer to laws and regulations. If a person is dying, one cannot refuse help on the grounds of regulations. It is now, immediately, that Linda needs support. What the law says can be discussed later. Less bureaucratic and more humane thinking is what is needed.THE LAW AS AN EXCUSE— I consider it important, with this sculpture, to point out the shortcomings of the rules governing the city authorities and which often result in inhumane conduct. The actions of the social welfare administration in this case cannot in any way be excused.The social welfare authorities in Lund confirm that Linda has contacted the administration. Because of confidentiality regulations, however, they cannot make any further comments.