Dutch artist Katinka Simonse is known for killing and brutalizing animals for her performance art. Simonse, 31, goes by the name “Tinkerbell” and gives live presentations of animal abuse and mutilation. She claims she is drawing awareness to animal abuse and rejects the idea that her work is repulsive.

During one exhibition, she made 100 hamsters roll about in little balls around the gallery. She has also mutilated and dismembered dogs, put day-old baby chicks in a shredder, and has killed chicks and put hooks through their bodies, so she could hang them up. Simonse has said that she does this “to use an animal that is close to you in order to show what we do with the ones that are far from sight. I wanted people to think about that.”

Her acts has caused an outcry amongst animal rights groups, like the Dutch animal welfare party called Partij Voor de Dieren (Party for the Animals), and questions of why the Dutch government does not have stricter animal abuse laws. In a statement, the animal welfare group described the Dutch artist as disturbed and obsessive and that she used her shocking “art” as a way to get attention. They have petitioned the Houses of Parliament in the Netherlands to have stricter laws and harsher sentences for animal abusers.

Not only has Simonse abused animals in her performance art, she also brutalized her own pet cat, Pinkeltjie. When it became sick, she was not interested in paying for a veterinarian, so she broke her pet’s neck. Simonse then had the cat skinned and used its skin for a handbag.

During an interview on a television show called De Wereld Draait Door (The Turning World), Simonse laughingly showed the interviewer how she broke her cat’s neck and showed no regret for her actions. She described the killing of her three-year-old cat as a “mercy-killing”.

In a joint project with artist Coralie Vogelaar, Simonse published a book in 2009 of all the hate mail that people have sent her. It is entitled “Dearest Tinkerbell”. Not only was the actual hate mail included in the books, but also the names, addresses, and other personal information (like what is on their Amazon wishlists) of the people who sent the hate mail, a very controversial move on behalf of the artist and her publicist.

She has received over 100,000 hate emails from all around the world. Eighty percent of the hate mail was from America, and some of the other countries included the Netherlands, France, Russia, and the UK. There are currently two petitions aimed at at the Dutch government to stop Simonse and bring her to justice.

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About the author

Amanda Bohannon
I currently live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.A. I am a student at Louisiana State University and am working towards two Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and French. I enjoy reading, writing, and playing video games in my spare time.

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71 Comments for Artist Mutilates, Kills Animals For Exhibitions

Francisco Blanco

OMG! I hadn’t read this one… OMG! THIS “ARTIST” IS COMPLETELY INSANE. I suggest she experiments with herself instead of using poor animals… Lame human being

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vi

Mindless psycho. Her acts are blatant irony to what she claims of her purpose behind to be. Don’t comprehend how she still isn’t incarcerated! Wake up already!

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Psychentist

She isn’t mindless. She came up with the idea, didn’t she? She isn’t insane either. She’s putting on a show, not running naked through the streets with a bloody straight razor. She’s a perfectly normal sick &$^&$%, trying to make a point about YOUR actions, but you’re too closed minded to get past the shock factor and try to COMPREHEND the message. It is a testament to the laziness of americans that they would MINDLESSLY condemn a person to the point of not even TRYING to understand a desperate, and very legitimate outcry. She’s fighting IN FAVOR of animal rights. Why should she be incarcerated? She’s killed what, maybe a hundred small animals? What about the TENS OF THOUSANDS of entire SPECIES that are now EXTINCT because of our irresponsible behavior? How are all the CEOs in the world not incarcerated?

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D

You and her are just excuses for acting out your disturbed, mentally insane needs in public in a legitimate environment where you cannot be punished. If you perform animal cruelty to get your point across, you still perform animal cruelty.

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The Artist

Right on. D!



Ashley90

You can make the message without brutalizing the animals yourself. I think genocide is awful. But if I were to go out and start systematically killing a race of people claiming I was trying to raise genocide awareness, I’d be locked up SO fast. Why should she be treated any different just because she’s brutalizing and killing animals to “raise awareness”?

To say that someone is disgusted and angry at this woman for what she’s doing because they’re close minded is really not right. Maybe she’s trying to make a point, and I get the point she’s trying to make it but she’s making it in ALL the WRONG ways and it should not be allowed. She could do a photo gallery of abused and hurt animals from shelters, etc. Or make a video of abused animals struggling to survive. Or just find abused and neglected animals and put them on display. All of these things would have shock value and spread the message she’s trying to make without her taking innocent animals and ruining their lives and torturing them. She’s a sick individual and probably wants and/or enjoys hurting animals and this “act” is her excuse. Just because you call something art doesn’t mean that it is. And it doesn’t give you the right to do whatever you want.

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Edie Duncan

Well then, I guess when she develops cancer, rather than trying to cure it, she should become a mangled fountain before she’s dead, as a testimony to the hideousness of the disease. I can’t believe that anyone could be that much of a dirtbag to defend this. You appear to be more like just a self-proclaimed pseudo-intellectual (by the moniker) who’s trying to play Devil’s advocate to get a rise out of people. This is stomach turning and offensive not only to Americans (and they call us ugly?) but to any nationality, religion, race, or creed. Even Spock and the Vulcans would find it illogical. How can this raise awareness? Those who love and protect will react with revulsion, and those who torture will view this crap as entertainment. Is there less pain involved because she thinks what she does is art? There’s no legitimacy…just an evil mind and a fawning lackey who also needs to be locked away, before their sense of reason has a chance to poison the souls of others. If you dislike the Bible so much, then you need to watch out for the universal Karma, and for the love of what-or-whoever, don’t breed.

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amber murphy

You are just as crazy as she is if you think what’s she’s doing is ok. Animal abuse is never justifiable even if it for awareness. That is by far the dumbest thing I’ve heard of. So lets lynch a few black people for the cause of ending racism. And I’m an American and at least I have the common sense to know what’s right and wrong. Lets break an animals neck because we don’t want to take it to the vets, yeah sounds completely sane to me.

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Courtney

She killed her own cat instead of taking it to the vet……what point was she trying to make there? I know. That she is sociopath and if you do not see her complete lack of respect for life, then you too are probably a sociopath.

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Emma

@ Courtney I´ll absoletly aggree with your statement. To my opinion, this girl is definitely a sociopath who uses art to personal fulfillment, in which she kills animals. I wonder if the animals are killed vicariously for her real passion… to harm human beings. But this can be penalized. Sociopaths hate to become punished for their acts! These folks are resistant to therapy….very dangerous people.



SoManyPointsOfView

I understand the concept of what she’s doing, and I totally agree that she makes a very valid point, BUT, she shows extreme symptoms of a serious mental or social problem in her. Anyone who can take their own pet, something they took care of and knew for a long period of time, and so easily kill it is definitely mentally unstable. She is definitely a psychopath, no morals. She pretends her actions are showing morality towards the livestock killed for food, but that’s her way of convincing herself that she is “normal”.

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Selma

I quote you: “She’s a perfectly normal sick &$^&$%, trying to make a point about YOUR actions, but you’re too closed minded to get past the shock factor and try to COMPREHEND the message.” and “She’s fighting IN FAVOR of animal rights.”

You don’t abuse more animals to stop animal abuse. What’s wrong with you?

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Melissa

Lady Gaga probably wants to have sex with her now. Fucking psychos slapping the word art on anything. How about mutilating themselves for the love of god.

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jane williams

sick, sick woman. WHY isn’t there a petition to stop her cruel exhibitions of horror?

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Leila Bara

you are infact not making Art, you are just a Bad person all the way to you core, and hope the same happens to you. You are just Fucked Up and a SAD excuse for an Artist.

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Psychentist

Da Vinci did it too. I guess he was just a sick fuck too, right? Read the bible lately? THERE’S some sick shit.

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The Artist

Oh~ it’s just you and her against the world. How sweet.. ))

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Selma

Where is the “LIKE” button.

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Karhrman

The like button is up again



Courtney

Where the hell is it documented that Da Vinci tortured animals??

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paul

Humans are animals,that broad will wake up on the wrong side of Karma.

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Donna

Psychentist: the Bible was over 1000 years ago. We are supposed to be a civilized society. After over a thousand years we should have learned from our past mistakes and bad behavior. So according to your theory, since Hitler did it, it’s okay and it should be done again? Are you German?

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Marie

This %&*%^&*^ is mad – someone somewhere must be able to stop her – All of the Dutch I know LOVE animals – This needs to go viral so this &^(^% can’t continue

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Darcy

She’s only an ‘artist’ if people pay her. Without money or publicity she’s just a janky, broke ass, attention seeking, animal mutilating piece of euro trash. And her workmanship is shoddy.

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Rob Corelli

How about a fatwa for somebody who desperately deserves it?

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Aussy

Typical American response. Don’t like what someone is doing? Kill them. Call for their execution. Try them in an unfair court after the public and politicians hound for their blood. Same thing as Julian Assange.

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Courtney

What…..So if someone tortured someone or a creature that you love, you feel they shouldn’t be punished?

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Darlene

This is disgusting.And she shouldn’t get news coverage for her serial killer like actions.I’d rather see something positive covered like the little handicap squirrel that paints and sells her work to give the money to animals and people in need!
The little squirrels FB http://www.facebook.com/winkelthesquirrel

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Ansi James

So guess what? Tinkerbell will be getting hate-mail all the way from Africa now! Artist? Come to Africa, and see what real art is! Your “art” is ANIMAL ABUSE under the disguise of ART.

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Heidi

That B!tch must get skinned alive!!!! Psychopath! It is not art & it is absolutely disgusting!

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Joe

Who cares shes not harming humans.

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Psychentist

That seems to be the general consensus. She’s actually addressing YOU. Nevermind. It’s pointless to try. Go back into your stupor.

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Amber

Wow, you must have an IQ of 12. Considering you seem to have the brain of a donkey maybe she can use you in her next show.

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Pat

She is a sadist with a God Complex. She can try to justify what she does however she wants, but killing is killing no matter specifics. It is a known fact that a person who abuses animals also abuses people (and visa versa). She is 1 step away from killing a human, probably a child or elder – someone who can’t fight back.

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Zaphod

I am a predator, I hunt animals, I kill them quick and as painlessly as I can, and I consume their flesh (read as: Responsible Hunter)

This woman, however, is sick, twisted, and in any natural system would be expulsed from the order.

If she is not to be incarcerated for her crimes against God, man, and nature, may karma catch up to her and give her a final, brutal lesson.

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animalsaunty

can someone not put this dumb *&*&*( in a shredder? 30 seconds & controversy over. i doubt seriously if anyone would miss her.

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Psychentist

So you’re exactly like her. Congratulations on lowering yourself to her level. Oh, wait. Nevermind. You were already there. Baaaaahhh.

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amber

Except the animals are innocent and she is not. I do not agree but it’s not the same thing.

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Callum

Sounds like you are in favour of this torture artist, why not look her up and enjoy her `art`.

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Steve

And people hate me for hunting…..

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Marc Web

I don’t.

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Erika Tanaka

I don’t either.. I just think you’re heartless. :’)

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Tula

I don`t hate you , you do not deserve such passion. I will never understand the pleasure in taking another life. All living things want to live just like you.

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Ceci

Killing is not art!!! Somebody can please stop her??? I can’t understand the why she doesn´t think and feel!!

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Silvia

Psicopata nojenta!!Esta monstra tem que ser morta da mesma forma que mata estes animais em noime de “arte?!” Ela não ter talento algum a não ser para sadismo e assassinatos,não a torna uma artista!!Assim,qualquer serial killer pode usar que tbemn mata em nome da ‘arte”
Eletroculsão anal para esta vadia desalmada ja!!

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Brandon

Somebody buy me a plane ticket I’ll break her neck tonight

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Cat Jones

This sick &^(^* is no artist. I’m an artist and artists create, not destroy and kill.

She is no different than those who kill animals for leather, fur, or meat, for money.
She love’s the shock value, to create pain, fear with her evil doings. Any attention
is good attention for her.

Maybe she’d love some attention with a 300 lb inmate in a prison as her cell mate.

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Psychentist

So I guess in all your artistry you also condemn Da Vinci and Van Gogh? You also condemn all of medical science? If you only knew the price of your comfort. If you aren’t comfortable with this small, insignificant display, and are not completely outraged at the whole damned world, then you are severely blindfolded.

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JC

Psychentist….. I got your point , but we are in and era that we don’t need to torture any creatures , I’m sorry if you think this is art…. This is a twisted bitch, art is beauty no CRUELTY…. I’m against all animal abuse and ABUSER, should pay for it…..

“There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.”

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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The Artist

@Psychentist: Blasphemy! Don’t get Da Vinci or Van Gogh involved in this, or they might just curse you for disrespecting them. No one here is blindfolded. People who WITNESS CRUELTY fight for life.
However, I see you’re guilty about something… aren’t you?
Well, you better hide before ‘artists’ like her hunt you for their next masterpiece. )

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MV

Sick Sick Sick. I want to present her as an art piece. UGH!!!

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Erika Tanaka

As much as possible I do not agree to unfair judgment and cruel speech.. but hell, YOU’RE UGLY. :’))

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k

What a disgusting human being.

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Jg

Let’s stop hurting things by hurting them! Makes perfect sense!
Her “point” is totally invalid…. Unless she was going for irony. No healthy, sane person is going to kill her pet cat without remorse. Something is very wrong here and the fact that she is calling herself an artist is an insult to me and everyone else trying to make it as a legitimate artist.

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Stephanie

WHAT A DISGUSTING PERSON!!! SOMEONE NEEDS TO MUTILATE HER “OH IT WAS FOR ART” PLEASE!!!!

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Tom

If I could find her I would kill her!

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Some dude

Behead all who mutilate animals!

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Lore Apple

Being totally serious (and admitting that I had never heard of this woman before) I consider her as being some kind of “social psycho”…whatever than crap means.

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Kathy Papineau

Please stop this woman!

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cb

This person is not an artist. This person should get therapy. And if she has been told she’s sane then she is just a horrible person. This is not art. Torturing and hurting animals will not stop people from hurting animals. People who like to hurt animals will only enjoy watching this. People who neglect animals or abuse them won’t care about this anyway. Those kind of people are ignorant of how to properly care for pets because to them pets are things, not beings with feelings. Watching this will only support those thoughts. This “art” means nothing, it sends no real message, especially not a message of good. It teaches us nothing except that if you base a cruel act on some technicality,like calling the cruel act art, that you can get a with doing whatever you want to do. This is useless and senseless. .These animals have feelings,they must be so fearful and they must wonder why this is happening and why they are being hurt. They have no way of understanding why they have suddenly become” art”. They only know they are scared and in pain. This person is hardly a person. I would like to see her be part of an art project. One where she is slowly eaten by dogs or pigs. She is nothing and unfortunately is getting to much attention for being a horrible person. Again, these performances promote nothing. It is bullshit that they will stop people from hurting animals. This all means nothing.She is a piece of shit using innocent beings to make herself famous, she is a selfish, disgusting person. And anyone who watches this garbage is not any better. I guess the law won’t do anything, so hopefully karma or some crazy vigilante murderers will. Luckily this is against the law in America.

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CC Fox

Okay, the reason she is continuing do brutalize animals is because SOMEONE IS PAYING TO SEE HER SHOW! How freaking disgusting! She is a serial killer in the making for sure. She needs to be skinned and used as a few collars and leashes for her pets. Idiot woman!! IF she were here in Texas, I bet she wouldn’t be getting away with it for long. PSYCHO!!

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Bella Lobo

My thoughts exactly. SERIAL KILLER!!!! There are only a few female serial killers, but here is one in the making!!!! Obviously serial killer of animals so her next step is the human animal. She disgusts me.

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Bella Lobo

No, No, NO!! This is not ART. This is torture and cruety to animals. WTF???? I dont care what SHE calls it…….It is NOT ART, and if someone wants to call it “art” then dont abuse, torture, pin, poke, shred, cut off any part(s) of animals. THAT is Animal Abuse and she’s a fucking idiot and needs to be punished. As well as any supporters. Wow, this just goes way beyond any type of compassion……and to call herself an Artist is offensive to me.

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sophianna

oh my god!O.o! Are you insane? This is not an art,this is a crime.You are a serial killer

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Rave

Seems like any disturbed individual can label themselves “artists” these days and not have to own up to what their “art” really is. This isn’t art. It’s textbook delusional sociopathy. She should be locked away for the rest of her life, so that no other animals are harmed.

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Eriko

She’s not an artist, she’s criminal.
She has to be done the same things by animals.

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Rose Mine

haha, This *)(**)(* is insane. The Hitler of animals pretends to be animal rights by killing animals and in doing so is saying that animals rights forged the hypocritical view of animal rights, THAT is hypocrisy. hhaahahahah. WOW, that is the epitome of what is going seriously wrong with people. She has lost her damn mind.

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Tula

She is a serial killer and in my opinion a very dangerous person. A typical psychopath who should be behind bars.

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Pat

“Both a psychopath and a sociopath have a complete disregard for the feelings and rights of others. This often surfaces by age 15 and may be accompanied by cruelty to animals. These traits are distinct and repetitive, creating a pattern of misbehavior that goes beyond normal adolescent mischief. Both fail to feel remorse or guilt. They appear to lack a conscience and are completely self-serving. They routinely disregard rules, social mores and laws, and don’t care about putting themselves or others at risk.”

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