[MSN] PAINTINGS stolen in a ram raid at a Gold Coast hinterland gallery could be headed interstate because they were too well known in Queensland, the artist said yesterday.

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Stolen art 'headed interstate'
Richard Finnila  

April 20, 2006

PAINTINGS stolen in a ram raid at a Gold Coast hinterland gallery could be
headed interstate because they were too well known in Queensland, the artist
said yesterday.

Photo:
http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,18868931-953,00.html


Robbers used a van to smash through the doors of the PJ Art Gallery at Mt
Tamborine early on Tuesday, taking nine paintings worth more than $60,000.
It is one of more than 20 boutique galleries in the community. 

Artist Peter Hill said he believed the raid was an organised attack,
targeting pieces with horses and birds. 

"I have been in the game for 30 years and my works are well known around the
Gold Coast, so I think they will have a hard time trying to sell them here,"
Mr Hill said. "My only guess is that they will go interstate." 

Among the stolen works were two of Hill's more famous horse paintings -
Baldy and Betty and Bow - each valued at $15,000. None of the works was
insured. 

Art Gallery Collections at Surfers Paradise curator Athina Astras, who often
values art for police in cases of fraud and theft, said the heist was "very
unusual". 

She believed Mr Hill's works would be bound for NSW or Victoria. 

Police said the heist vehicle was a van or utility with a cabin. A tourist
saw the vehicle leaving the gallery at about 4am. 

Logan CIB detectives are investigating. Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333
000.