A public artwork that vanished from central Christchurch less than 24 hours after being installed has been found.
The steel sculpture, Doctrines, by New Zealand artist George Watson, was part of SCAPE Public Art’s summer season and had only been unveiled on Thursday morning when it disappeared overnight.
The theft left organisers stunned. Staff at SCAPE Public Art said they literally gasped when told the piece had been stolen.
Executive Director Rachel Jefferies said the team had been devastated. “We were really feeling for the artist, George Watson, and for all the people who helped make this sculpture.
“It’s also deeply disappointing for Christchurch. The bottom line is we want our artwork back. That sculpture was made for everyone to enjoy for free all summer.”
George Watson Sculpture credit Heather Milne
The good news is the sculpture has now been found about 100 metres from where it was taken.
It has been returned to the site by police, but organisers have decided to remove it temporarily while they consider a safer location.
Communications & Funding Manager Michele Hollis said it had been a whirlwind 24 hours. “I’m breathing a huge sigh of relief. Because it’s so heavy, I think whoever took it simply lost the will to keep carrying it.”
Watson had only arrived in Christchurch the night before and hadn’t yet seen the installation at its site.
The sculpture weighs around 100 kilograms and took two men to lift during installation.
It was inspired by Christian symbols, agricultural branding irons, Victorian fretwork, and traditional Māori patterns.
SCAPE Public Art said police had been informed and CCTV footage reviewed. The theft was the first in SCAPE’s 27-year history.
