Protesters from climate change activist group Extinction Rebellion have been arrested after glueing themselves to a Picasso painting at the National Gallery of Victoria on Sunday.

Two protesters wearing black clothing with Extinction Rebellion logos glued their hands to the protective covering of the artwork, Massacre in Korea, which is part of the Picasso Century exhibit.

Protesters glue themselves to a Picasso painting at the NGV. Credit:Twitter: Jane Morton

The protesters laid a large black banner at their feet which said, “Climate Chaos = War + Famine”.

In footage posted to social media one of the protesters shouted, “our government have failed us” to gallery visitors.

“We need to stop this toxic system now,” she said.

A spokesman for Victoria Police said it was believed three protesters entered the ground level of the gallery before a man and a woman glued themselves to the protective covering of a Picasso painting at about 12.40pm.

A 49-year-old NSW woman and a 59-year-old Footscray man were removed from the painting just after 2pm.

The pair and a 49-year-old Williamstown man have been arrested and are assisting police with their enquiries.

A spokeswoman for the NGV said after the protesters glued their hands to the painting the exhibition was closed to the public and the Victoria Police were called.

“The protesters hands were safely removed from the perspex with no harm to the work,” she said.

The spokeswoman did not respond to a question as to how the protesters managed to evade security and glue themselves to the artwork.

The Picasso exhibition was reopened to the public by 2.30pm.

Jane Morton, Extinction Rebellion campaigner, posted on social media “If you think this is disruption, wait till you see #ClimateCollapse.”

The group is calling for the government to declare a climate and ecological emergency and to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.

Extinction Rebellion has previously organised week long protests across Australia’s major cities to protest against climate change.

The NGV and Extinction Rebellion have been contacted for comment.

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