A brutal art theft in the outskirts of Eersel: the bronze statue JOLIG by the Eindhoven artist Marti de Greef was taken from the site of the Persoon gallery. The work of art, with a sales value of 16,000 euros, had only been outside for six months. The fear is that it has now been melted down for a paltry 250 euros in metal value.
The statue stood on a pedestal on the outside grounds of the Ooglust domain, where the Persoon gallery is located. The theft was discovered by the owner of the site around eight o’clock on Monday morning. The pedestal was still there, but the bronze statue had been removed.
“If someone really likes it and wants to put it in their garden, then you take the pedestal with you,” says gallery owner Noortje van de Ven in the Omroep Brabant radio program Afslag Zuid. “Now only the bronze has been taken. That suggests that it was about the material.”
Signed and numbered
JOLIG is a signed and numbered work by De Greef. This makes it virtually impossible to sell it to a gallery. “You can’t just sell it through the normal channels.” She fears it will be melted down, or that it may even have already happened.
The statue depicted a stylized female figure: sitting on her buttocks, with two legs in the air. A striking work that cannot be taken away so easily and unnoticed. “You really have to take it with you in a van or on a trailer. That would be noticeable, you would think.”
No camera footage
There were no cameras on the outside area. Inside the building yes, but the site is large and there was no camera surveillance at the location of the image. There is little visibility in the immediate area: the domain is located in the countryside, close to the highway. “They could have driven straight to Belgium or Germany.”
The police have recorded a report. Smelters and metal recycling companies have also been informed and asked to be alert when bronze is offered.
Little hope of return
Van de Ven has little hope that the artwork will return. “A report has been filed, but it is of course very difficult if you have no clue.”
She is very disappointed that a work of art costing 16,000 euros will probably be destroyed for a few hundred euros.
Cameras are now being installed on the site. “Yes now, but too late.”
