Art
Victoria art gallery owner believes theft of $40K in statues was targeted
The owner of an art gallery in Victoria thinks a theft that occurred on Boxing Day was a targeted heist.
In less than two minutes, a lone man broke into the business and grabbed three small carvings valued at more than $40,000 combined.
Security video from inside the Madrona Gallery shows a man smash his way into the business carrying multiple duffel bags on Monday morning.
“They clearly knew what they were doing,” said Michael Warren, director of the gallery.
The thief made out with three Inuit stone carvings weighing an estimated 14 kilograms each.
Warren says he thinks the theft was far more than a smash and grab and that the three works were specifically targeted.
“It didn’t seem like a crime of opportunity,” he said. “It was a beeline for those specific pieces.”
Warren says the thief passed by other works in the gallery that have higher price tags.
Chris Lewis, CTV News’ public safety analyst and a former commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, says art theft in Canada is rare – and when crimes related to art do occur, they often go unsolved.
“There’s not a lot of expertise in Canada on art theft,” said Lewis.
He noted that Canada’s largest art theft, which occurred in 1972 and involved three men stealing $2-million worth of art pieces from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, was never solved.
Often times the works end up in someone’s private collection and are never returned to their rightful owners, Lewis says.
“Sometimes police stumble across stolen property like art and get it returned to the lawful owner and many times not,” he said.
Still, the Madrona Gallery is not giving up hope about retrieving the three statues.
Warren is asking anyone with information to speak with the art gallery or the Victoria Police Department, which is investigating the theft.
“You know, what I would love is if anybody has any information to contact the gallery,” he said. “We’re offering a $1,000 reward per piece on their return, no questions asked.”
The three stolen art pieces can be found below:
One of the three stolen art pieces is shown. Dancing Bear by Pauta Saila. Value $30,000 according to the Madrona Gallery. (Submitted)
One of the three stolen art pieces is shown. Holding a Stone by Oviloo Tunnillie. Value $12,000 according to the Madrona Gallery. (Submitted)
One of the three stolen art pieces is shown. Large Owl by Kupapik Ningeocheak. Value $1,500 according to the Madrona Gallery. (Submitted)
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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