[CPProt.net] Bronze sculpture 'walks out of gallery'

[MSN CPPnet]

 Bronze sculpture 'walks out of gallery' 

June 9, 2005

A metre-high bronze sculpture worth R30 000 has disappeared from a gallery
in Canal Walk in Cape Town without anyone noticing it was missing for three
days.

Staff at The Beauty of Africa Art Gallery discovered they had been robbed
only early on Monday when records showed that the sculpture had not, in
fact, been sold.

"The last time it was seen was when it was being dusted sometime on Friday,"
said gallery owner Amanda Collins.

"I have no idea how it could have been stolen without anyone noticing. The
shop is only 55m2 and a bronze that size would take two strong men just to
lift it.

'How does one manage to steal a sculpture weighing 40kg out of a shop that
size?' 
"The villains probably chose the one they did because it was nearest the
door; perhaps they used a trolley or something, but somebody should have
noticed."

Sculptor Louis Chanu is understandably angry.

"How does one manage to steal a sculpture weighing 40kg out of a shop that
size in the middle of the working day without anybody even noticing?" he
said.

The sculpture, entitled Hotshot, was number one in a limited edition of 10,
three of which the gallery had on show. The artist signed his name "Chanu"
on one of the boots, next to which is a foundry stamp "SCS" about the size
of a thumbnail.

Police are checking CCTV footage of Canal Walk exits. The gallery and the
sculptor are offering a substantial reward for the return of the bronze.


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