[CPProt.net] Australia: Artist urges swiftness in theft case

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Artist urges swiftness in theft case
08:29 AEST Tue Sep 20 2005
AAP
An artist accused of masterminding a major art heist has appealed to a
Brisbane magistrate to deal with his case urgently because it is damaging
his reputation.

Richard Noel Dunlop, 44, of Brisbane, was charged last month with the theft
of three drawings by local artist Allyson Reynolds.

Police also seized hundreds of high-profile artworks, lithographs, sketches
and prints during a raid on Dunlop's inner-city home and have not ruled out
further charges.

It is alleged many of the works seized in last month's raid went missing
from the high-profile Ray Hughes Gallery in Sydney, where Dunlop exhibited
between 1996 and 2003.

But the investigation is expected to extend to other galleries in Sydney,
Hobart and also Doggett Street Gallery in Brisbane's inner-city New Farm.

Police initially estimated the haul to be worth up to $1 million, but later
backed away from such a high estimate.

On Monday, during a brief appearance in the Brisbane Magistrates Court,
Dunlop asked through his lawyer Dan Sushames, for the matter to be dealt
with "expeditiously".

"The matter is affecting his reputation," Mr Sushames told the court.

However, police prosecutor Michael Read objected and said police needed more
time to review their evidence as fresh charges may be laid.

Magistrate Katherine McGinness (McGinness) rejected Dunlop's request and set
the matter down for committal mention on November 14.

Outside the court, Dunlop insisted he had acquired the artworks legally and
was the subject of a vendetta from someone in the art community.

"It's like what is being quoted to (former Labor leader) Mark Latham, it's
an old Chinese proverb: 'When you seek revenge you should always dig two
graves'," he said.

"This is an industry based on the free exchange of objects.

"Many of my friends I see at openings are a little bemused their art works
are being kept by the (Fortitude) Valley CIB."

Dunlop's work is highly regarded in Brisbane, where he sells through the Jan
Murphy gallery for thousands of dollars a piece.