Home August 2005
The Problem of Art theft - from the major to the minor
Theft and other crimes involving art are often well known and widely publicised and most will be familiar with the recent theft (more than once in recent years) of 'The Scream' by Munch, and of paintings (later retrieved) from a Manchester Gallery. Also, equally sadly, the looting of museums in Iraq and Afghanistan. Less well known are the audacious incidences of 16ft high statues vanishing from Nepalese temples and Saxon sculptures from English churches. Cultural crime of some kind (greater or lesser) is occurring daily and effects us all to some extent, and does not only involve straightforward examples of theft. Most artists and gallery owners have probably been the victim of at least attempted crime, for example the 'Nigerian scams' as detailed in the News section, and of course there is the activities of a minority of unscrupulous gallery or shop owners.
From my own (fortunately minor) experience:
Sometime over a year ago I arranged to sell a series of small crafts pieces and two large framed drawings in a shop in Durham (Belmont) known as 'Crafty Bugs,' operated by a certain Karen Varley.
Some items sold over the months and any problems did not arise until she decided to close the store and move into a booth in Chester-le-Street without properly informing me. She continued to sell my work and we discussed related issues by telephone. Eventually, some time later I contacted her to see how business was progressing and she admitted that she was soon to close the stall and move towards forming an on-line business. We agreed a time to meet at Chester-le-Street so that I could collect the remaining unsold items. However I arrived to find that one item, the most expensive, was not there and Karen made excuses and promised to deliver the item to my home during the following week. I agreed, not expecting any problems. Predictably, with hindsight, she never delivered the item and I have never seen her nor have been in any way able to contact her since. It is my understanding that there are several other local artists and crafts people who have had a similar experience with Karen.
Unless you know someone well it does not pay to be too trusting. I had Karen's mobile phone number but not her private contact address which was one of many mistakes in this situation.
The item in question was a detailed drawing, a drably apocalyptic rendition of a ruined Statue of Liberty, partially inspired by the famous scene at the conclusion of the film, 'The Planet of the Apes,' and various 'sci-fi' art from the 1950's - 60's. This version was worked in graphite, pastel and coloured pencil in earthy colours and depicted the torso of the statue emerging from the shoreline with the arm holding the lamp broken off halfway. It was housed in a plain wood frame and priced at £130.00.
The only conclusion is that Ms Varley still has the item or more likely had already sold it and kept the money prior to returning the rest of my work.
I doubt I shall ever know.