Louis Chanu Bronze Sculptor Stolen

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Brazen thieves walk off with 40kg statue
(Article from CAPE ARGUS June 9, 2005)

A metre-high bronze sculpture worth R30 000 has disappeared from a gallery in Canal Walk in Cape Town without anyone noticing it was missing for three days.

Staff at The Beauty of Africa Art Gallery discovered they had been robbed only early on Monday when records showed that the sculpture had not, in fact, been sold.

"The last time it was seen was when it was being dusted sometime on Friday," said gallery owner Amanda Collins.

"I have no idea how it could have been stolen without anyone noticing. The shop is only 55m2 and a bronze that size would take two strong men just to lift it.

Gone: The one-metre bronze sculpture that mysteriously disappeared from a Canal Walk art gallery. Photo: Cape Argus

'How does one manage to steal a sculpture weighing 40kg out of a shop that size?'

"The villains probably chose the one they did because it was nearest the door; perhaps they used a trolley or something, but somebody should have noticed."

Sculptor Louis Chanu is understandably angry.

"How does one manage to steal a sculpture weighing 40kg out of a shop that size in the middle of the working day without anybody even noticing?" he said.

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The sculpture, entitled Hotshot, was number one in a limited edition of 10, three of which the gallery had on show. The artist signed his name "Chanu" on one of the boots, next to which is a foundry stamp "SCS" about the size of a thumbnail.

Police are checking CCTV footage of Canal Walk exits. The gallery and the sculptor are offering a substantial reward for the return of the bronze.

Louis Chanu lives in the Elgin Valley, near Cape Town, South Africa