[MSN] U.K. Art thieves steal local sculpture. Two-hundred kilogramme bronze sculpture disappears from South Fawley studio on Wednesday

[MSN]

Art thieves steal local sculpture
Fri, April 04 2008

By Ben Johnson, Reporter
Email: newburytoday at newburynews.co.uk
Phone: 01635 564631
	
Two-hundred kilogramme bronze sculpture disappears from South Fawley studio
on Wednesday
 
THIEVES stole a sculpture from a local artist’s studio in South Fawley on
Wednesday (April 2). 
The criminals must have had strength on their side as they removed Johannes
Von Stumm’s creation from outside his studio between 11am and 4pm on
Wednesday, because the solid bronze sculpture is over two meters tall and
weighs an estimated 150 – 200kg. 
However, the artist said that he designed it so that it could be lifted
quite easily by two people. 
The sculpture, entitled “Big Seated Figure”, unsurprisingly depicts a seated
geometric figure that took Mr Von Stumm about four months to complete. 
He said that he held the work quite dear to his heart as it was only the
second piece in a series of “immaterial figures” that he was working on. 
He estimated that it would be worth about £20,000 if sold in a gallery for
its artistic value, although the work contains approximately £1000 worth of
special bronze alloy.
He said that it was often taken to exhibitions with him, but that it was
probably stolen for its scrap metal resale value than artistic content. 
He said: “I don’t think they were paying me the compliment of stealing it
for its artistic value.” 
Mr Von Stumm fears that the sculpture will be cut into pieces and sold as
scrap and added that this type of bronze costs approximately £4000 a tonne. 
Most local drivers will see Mr Von Stumm’s “Couple in Conversation”
sculpture every day standing on the Robin Hood Roundabout. 
Mr Von Stumm said that he didn’t expect the work to be stolen and now has
the problem of finding an indoors storage solution for his other pieces. 
The artist has offered a reward for anyone who brings forward information
that leads to the conviction of the thieves.
Anyone with information about this crime should contact Newbury police on
08458 505505 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555111

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/

______________________________________
http://www.museum-security.org
http://www.museumbeveiliging.com
http://www.handboekveiligheidszorgmusea.nl
______________________________________