Does Art Theft Pay?

Munch's Scream Offered for Reduced Jail Sentence

David Toska, a suspect in the August 2004 theft of Edvard Munch's paintings "The Scream" and "Madonna" is plea bargaining the whereabouts of the two paintings in exchange for a reduced sentence for his role in the NOKAS theft. NOKAS is the Norwegian Cash Service, and police suspect that the Munch thefts were actually aimed at diverting police resources from the NOKAS case.

Meanwhile, in Britain the Guardian is reporting that a man who stole a museum painting in 1999 was busted when he bragged about the theft over a pint at a British pub. Another customer who overheard his bragging reported him to the police. The thief never did get his day in court, however, as he died while in custody!

Quilting's shift from craft to art

Quilting's shift from craft to art has ridden its wave of popularity

So says the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "In ways our foremothers never envisioned, the definition of "quilt" is being stretched to the limits of artistic imagination." We at ArikiArt Online Gallery have known that for a long time now. Maori artist Ku Bailey of Auckland New Zealand created her first applique quilt the fantastic "Putake-o-te-Ao" which depicts the Maori creation myth way back in 1999 for submission to the Millenium Quilt Festival in Houston, TX. To Ku's surprise the quilt was not only accepted but was one of the finalist quilts, and subsequently toured with other finalist quilts through Europe and Asia. Since then Ku has continued to craft many art quilts depicting not only Maori mythology, but also her life and family. She appeared in 2006 on New Zealand TV and has exhibited in New Zealand as well. A selection of her artworks are on display at ArikiArt in her applique quilt gallery prove the SPI article right: quilting has definitely moved from craft to art.

Delaware Art Museum Sues Architect

Delaware Art museum sues architect and engineering firm

The Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington has filed a federal lawsuit against the Boston architect and engineering firm that handled the museum's $32 million makeover and expansion from 2001 to 2005. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Wilmington, alleges that the incompetence of Ann Beha Architects Inc. and Ove Arup & Partners resulted in construction errors and delays that severely damaged the museum's financial health, reputation and fund-raising efforts. The museum is asking the court to award damages greatly in excess of $75,000...more

Art critics say Melbourne's Van Gogh could be fake

Fake Van Gogh Painting?
Art critics say Melbourne's Van Gogh could be fake:
British art experts believe that one of Australia's prized paintings by Vincent Van Gogh could be a fake. The $20 million painting by the Dutch master was purchased by the Melbourne-based National Gallery in 1940. Now doubts have been raised in Britain where the painting is on show.

San Jose Hosts Festival That Mixes Art With Technology

Art and Technology Show in San Jose This Week

NBC11.com - News - San Jose Hosts Festival That Mixes Art With Technology:

"Zero One is an interactive mix of art and technology. In order to get work shown this week, an artist must be innovative and a near expert in digital technology.

"Merci" - Painting of a Beggar by Andrea Beech

Painting of a Beggar by Andrea Beech

"Merci" is one of my favorite paintings at ArikiArt. This work by artist Andrea Beech from Havelock North in New Zealand is a painting that is full of imagery.
The subject of the painting is a beggar dressed in a long flowing gray robe that covers his entire body from head to toe. The cowl over the beggar's head is reminiscent of the robe worn by the figure of the Grim Reaper, albeit that the robe is gray, not black. I imagine that the beggar lives with death close at hand.

The beggar is asking for alms by someone not in view, however in the background is the planet Earth, positioned such that it rests in the outstretched hand of the beggar suggesting perhaps that the cry for food and water goes out to the entire world. Another interpretation of this might be a reference to the beatitude that "The meek shall inherit the earth".

A wide vertical red stripe descends the from top to bottom, through the beggar's shoulders and back, suggestive of the cross he bears and the blood of Christ flowing down the staff of the cross.
The title of the work is also a wonderful play on words: "merci" is of course the French word for "Thank You", no doubt the phrase that a beggar most wishes to utter upon receiving some gift of food or water, but of course it is also a pun on the English word "mercy", something else that the beggar no doubt wishes to receive of us.
John Corney Ariki Art Online Galleries