Art heist: R1 million worth of sculptures stolen from Pringle Bay gallery

IOL News

8 hours ago

One of the pieces stolen at the Fomo Fine Art Centre sculptured by by Anton Smit
Image: Supplied
A brazen overnight theft at the FOMO Fine Art Gallery in Pringle Bay has stripped the space of seven sculptures worth more than R1million and left an even greater sentimental wound.
The stolen works, by celebrated South African artists Anton Smit and Janko de Beer, are not only of significant financial value but also irreplaceable cultural treasures.
'The theft took place during the night of Tuesday 5 August or the early hours of Wednesday 6 August. I was at the gallery until early Tuesday evening and returned at around 09:00 on Wednesday morning, when I immediately noticed that several sculptures were missing and one of our security cameras had been broken,' said de Beer, co-owner of the gallery and a celebrated visual artist and sculptor.
'Later, we also discovered that the camera positioned at the entrance to Pringle Bay, at the main intersection, was not functioning. We cannot confirm whether this was damaged during the incident or was already out of order.
'This does not appear to have been an opportunistic crime. The sculptures are large and somewhat heavy, so the thieves would have needed a suitable vehicle, the right equipment, and enough people to move them. All indications suggest it was a planned and targeted theft.'
According to de Beer, seven sculptures were taken in total: six by Anton Smit and one by Janko de Beer, with a combined value of just over R1 million.
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The Janko de Beer Sculpture was also stolen
Image: Supplied
However, the emotional and cultural loss is far greater. These works are unique and instantly recognisable to those familiar with South African sculpture, making them difficult to sell openly without raising suspicion.
'This theft is not only a personal blow to the gallery and the artists involved but also to the broader South African art community.'
Despite damaged security equipment and no confirmed leads, police have been actively investigating de Beer.
Three of these Anton Smit sculptures were stolen
Image: Supplied
'The Kleinmond SAPS have been extremely proactive and supportive, but at this stage we are not aware of any solid leads,' de Beer said.
Efforts to recover the artworks began immediately.
'We immediately posted details and photographs of the stolen works on social media, which have been shared widely. Our network of collectors, reputable auction houses, and fellow galleries has also been alerted, and we are grateful for the solidarity and support. Because of the distinctiveness of these works, it will be challenging for the thieves to sell them without someone recognising them.
'We are asking members of the public, collectors, and galleries to remain vigilant and report any attempt to resell or transport sculptures that match these descriptions. There is no reward currently on offer, but our focus is on mobilising the art community and the public to help recover the pieces.'
In total 7 sculptures were stolen
Image: Supplied
De Beer said the incident has been deeply felt by all involved.
'The impact is both financial and deeply personal. For the artists, these sculptures represent months of creative effort, skill, and inspiration, and their theft is profoundly discouraging. For us as a gallery, our sculpture garden is something we are proud of. It brings joy to our community and to visitors, and we have always believed that showcasing art outdoors was worth the inherent risks. Until now, we never felt this kind of targeted theft was a likely threat.
'While the incident is disheartening, it will not stop us from doing what we love. We have already strengthened our security measures and remain committed to making art accessible to the public.'
He urged the public to act swiftly if they encounter any of the stolen works.
'Please contact Kleinmond SAPS immediately, or get in touch directly with FOMO Fine Arts. Quick action is vital in recovering these works and holding those responsible to account.'
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