[Pure Evil]

Somebody walked into the ATM gallery in Berlin and stole this canvas at the opening last night... I think its hilarious.... Cheeky Germans, first they try and nick most of Europe, the U.S.S.R. and Africa and now.. this !

So far I have had a painting of Black Sabbath stolen from my first solo show, and I caught somebody walking off with a piece from another show and almost brained them.. This time though , its pretty understandable (but cheeky) considering the message on the piece.

Does anyone else have any good stories of art getting stolen from shows ? If you cant afford to buy a painting then what about just stealing it and making yourself happy? Is it ok to kill art thieves with hammers?


more pics of the pieces that haven't been stolen (yet) at www.flickr.com/photos/pureevilbunny

[Joe J]

Thats funny PE.

[spirit]

Classic lol! - one could almost claim that stealing this painting brougt the artistic statement to its natural and necessary conclusion - that the stealing was itself an artistic act!

Certainly wouldn't normally condone the stealing of anything - but this was kinda asking for it - hilarious :-)

[felix]

I think that's great, what a rebel!!

Loved your outfit on Ch4 last night PE

[snakes]

It will be on ebay soon and then you'll get him 'bang to rights'.

[Rsyok]

Zee Germans are so literal 'when questioned by the police the accused said it told me to steal it '!
Lump hammers are best for art thieves.
Nice to see you on Channel 4 last night PE.

[graeme501]

when i was down at elms lester for the neate/english show, there was a question asking adam something like 'can u take work thats been paid for just like the street work' and he answered he'd like to think that u could just go take it off the wall

a bit more balls and i would have had a gallery piece and be walking out the door

[Martin Whatson]

I reckon you counted on this to get stolen sooner or later!?

I like the way it interacts!! Would have been funny if they had left another comment tho!

[r1]

Thats funny as fuck. Talk about interaction with the public. Hope your not badly effected by the loss of a sale due to theft.

[otomi]

well you kinda had that one coming let's hope he is happy now

[Pure Evil]

we got the painting back.. the guy who walked off with it left it in a bar for his friend , so we went down there and retrieved it.... yeahh

[m@san]

Loving the manhole. I've been obsessed with them since I got back from Japan where every city has it's own design. Nice one PE

[mrmustard]

Had a painting stolen from my first ever show many years back. The worst bit was someone had bought the piece the day before it was stolen. I painted it again for them but it was still a bit annoying. At the same time I have to admit I was a little flattered that someone would risk it. They ran through the alarmed fire doors with it into the night. Since then I tend to screw my pieces into the wall! I also painted Amy Winehouse's portrait and she signed some of the limited edition prints. There have been several (failed) attempts to nick them!

[craigf]

Cool thread PE ;D

Maybe a new canvas with something like "Pay me double" would be a good idea for the next one