Painter Suzanne Stryker on Planet Erstwild James Moore will discuss art and loss with local painter Suzanne Stryker, who was the target of art thieves twice right here in Fairfield. Her story was featured in the Des Moines Register and picked up by the Associated Press. Painter Suzanne Stryker on Tanner & Moore She shares her thoughts and reflections on Tanner & Moore |
Art Theft 101 . |
On-line Reactions to Des Moines Register Article Van Trike: I did a google on this artist - she has a website www.paintyoga.com . Must be the same artist because her website has a page about these stolen paintings. You should see her other paintings online- some of them are really magnificent! I would like to have several of them. I would also like to have the abstract one that was stolen. I wonder if she could do another one like it - her website says she does commissioned work. I can't decide which ones I like best though. 12/22/2007 4:59:13 PM Najane: I like those paintings. The first one reminds me of Georgia O'Keefe, and the second one seems like a cross between Picasso's cubism phase and Jackson Pollack, and a stained glass window. I hope she gets them back. 12/19/2007 11:54:05 AM Traveler: I think both pieces are beautiful and it is a shame that someone would have the nerve to take them. 12/19/2007 8:40:22 AM |
Conception - 1st Stolen Painting
(Not mentioned in some articles)
(Not mentioned in some articles)
The Source Crimes of My Art by Suzanne B. Stryker From a global perspective, what are the top four criminal enterprises? You might correctly guess drugs, money laundering, and weapons, and then get stumped. According to Interpol, the world’s largest police organization, it is commonly accepted that art theft is third or fourth. They point out that exact figures for art theft worldwide don’t exist, but the FBI estimates that art theft totals about $6 billion a year. To put that into perspective, the total 2007 FBI budget was approximately $6.04 billion. There is something glamorous about stealing beauty, so movies and books are written about it. In real life, the modern museum robbery can remind you of a James Bond movie, like the robbery of the National Gallery in Stockholm in 2000, where the robbers used diversionary explosions, tire-puncture devices, and a getaway boat. The largest art heist in the U.S. happened at the Gardner Museum in Boston in 1990. In a matter of one hour and twenty minutes, two unidentified unarmed men wearing police uniforms removed 12 paintings worth $300 million. The museum is still offering a $5 million reward for the uninsured artwork. Art crime has even touched Fairfield, Iowa. During my last move, a thief stole a large abstract painting yet left everything else. But this was not a one-night stand, there was follow up. About nine months later a painting was stolen from one of my art exhibits. Nine months later another painting disappeared from my solo show at Entrée Café Gallery. (This is no reflection against any gallery; even the finest museums get robbed.) If there is such a thing as regularity and discipline in their profession, then should we expect the criminals to strike again in another nine months? I realize that my three missing paintings are just a footnote compared to three Picasso paintings that were stolen around the same time as mine. Valued at almost $60 million, only one of Picasso’s paintings has been recovered. Picasso has had more works of art stolen than any other artist in the world, at least 554! My advice to art thieves is to help Picasso maintain that status and leave the smaller artists like me alone! People who aren’t interested in art may not think this story is of personal relevance. But I’d like to say something to anyone who does manual labor: I work with my hands; I’m a manual laborer too. I just don’t break a sweat. And my boss, even though she’s myself, is very fussy, demanding, and obnoxious. Since my stolen paintings are such an unusual and personal theft, it brings up many thoughts and questions: who would do such a thing, why would they do it, and where are the paintings? Should I flatter myself that my stolen paintings are hanging in the robbers' living room? Or maybe they gave them to their mother or their lover? I want to know, do they like the paintings? Do they go with the couch? Really, where are my paintings? They are orphans in the sense in that they are separated from their parent. This is different than having a stereo stolen out of your home -- you didn’t create it. To the extent that an artist gives birth to a painting, the theft of these paintings approaches kidnapping. And the second painting that was stolen took longer than nine months to create. I wonder if my paintings are okay. I want to tell the thieves that, like all fine art, paintings should not be put in direct sunlight or exposed to extreme moisture or temperature changes. God forbid they are hanging in a moldy bathroom, by the shower, in direct sunlight! Why did they take and take again -- is business that good? Who wants this kind of art? Perhaps I should open a gallery there. If the new owners of my paintings like them so much, why don’t they call me directly and cut out the middleman? It might be easier to steal other things. What does that say about this person? He passes by purses and lap top computers and instead takes artwork. Who would brazenly steal paintings as large as 16 inches by 20 inches from Entrée Café Gallery, located in the busiest section of the downtown area, right across the street from the Fairfield Post Office? Why did the robbers steal those particular paintings from my solo art exhibits? Why didn’t they swipe a nearby oil painting of the same size that was priced twice as high? Did they breeze by the more expensive paintings because of personal taste or because of professional incompetence? Did they flunk Art Theft 101? Their fence should be furious. What is the profile of an art criminal? Is he like in the movies: a charming and sophisticated playboy who’s a connoisseur of fine art and fine women and has a burglar’s mask tucked into his tuxedo? Many people have paid their hard earned money for my artwork, but no one has ever dared to take such a risk as going to jail for five years and having this go on their record permanently. The bandits could be considered to be my biggest fan! On the other hand, selling paintings is how I make my living. I feel slapped and deeply complimented thrice, but not so complimented that I don’t want my paintings back. If anyone has any clues, please call me at 641-472-7767. I am offering a $200 reward for their safe return. The media has been helpful in getting the word out. TV and radio stations interviewed me. Numerous papers and websites covered the story, especially after the Associated Press did a piece. The Des Moines Register has an article with photographs of two of the stolen paintings on its website. People have added on-line comments, such as, "I like those paintings. The first one reminds me of Georgia O'Keefe, and the second one seems like a cross between Picasso's cubism phase and Jackson Pollack, and a stained glass window. I hope she gets them back.” Other comments, coverage, and color pictures of the stolen goods can be seen at my web site www.paintyoga.com. There you can also view pictures of paintings that the thieves passed over. I am curious if you agree with their choices. Feel free to e-mail me from the Contact Us page. I would like to communicate with the robbers: I want you to know that I will drop the charges if the paintings are returned. Please let me know if my paintings are okay. By the way, are you really a charming and sophisticated playboy with an art history degree? Do you own a tuxedo? Also, I want you to know: if you know people that appreciate my paintings, let’s work together. Let’s go legit; I’ll be generous with commission. |
Posted by Wade Dec. 23, 2007 Someone must have liked the paintings quite a lot - to steal them. The artist should take it as a compliment - to steal to keep for themselves or to sell- either way the thieves must think the paintings were valuable. |
IOWA CITY PRESS-CITIZEN
The Ledger Artist asks for two stolen paintings to be returned Fairfield artist Suzanne Stryker has had two paintings stolen from Entree Gallery and Cafe this year, and is trying to get them back without causing legal problems to the person who took them. "I would hate to see the thief go to prison for this because he appreciates my art enough to take the risk of spending five years in prison and having this go on his record permanently," said Stryker. "This is a compliment in an unusual way,"she continued. "This is different than a TV being stolen - you don't feel complimented because you didn't create it. You are just annoyed because it has value. So do these paintings. And they are my personal creations that I have labored over; they are like my children." "The paintings," she continued, "can be anonymously returned to the gallery from which they were taken, and this way the thief can avoid prosecution." "Once a report is filed, if the police catch the thief, they take over, and then there's nothing I can do to prevent the thief from going to jail," said Stryker. "I want to give the thief a chance...I am not required to press charges if I or anyone else except the police find the thief or if he returns the paintings." Accoring to Stryker, the painting taken in March is "a wild acrylic painting. Abstract geometric designs were boldly outlined in thick dark green paint and colored inside with bright lemon yellow, sherbet orange, lime green and thalo blue. Small purple and green creatures with protruding white and pink eyes added a humorous touch." The painting valued at $500, is 16 inches by 20 inches, including the custom-made frame. The second painting taken from the gallery last week, is a watercolor of a large peony in mostly peach and red shades. It is 12 by 14 inches, including a white mat and silver frame. It is valued at $200. The paintings can be viewed on Stryker's Web site at www.paintyoga.com. |
| Suzanne B. Stryker |
| Crimes of My Art |
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The Reader May 17, 2007 Missing Painting Normally paintings aren’t stolen until the artist is dead and the painting is worth a few million. However, recently a painting has mysteriously disappeared from Suzanne Stryker’s exhibit at Entree Cafe Gallery in Fairfield. This is an exotic crime by Iowa’s standards. The painting was uninsured. The police said that depending on how the painting was taken, the penalty ranges between a monetary fine to five years in prison. According to the police, either way someone took a risk here, as it would be considered a serious misdemeanor and would permanently go on one’s record. Was this a painting that someone just couldn’t live without? Suzanne said, “I haven’t signed a police report yet because the police informed me that after a report is signed that they would prosecute without consulting me. I will give the person a chance to return it. I will wait until June 15 before filing a police report.” With the custom-made frame, the painting measures 16 by 20 inches. The subject matter is abstract. Suzanne remarked, “ I was hesitant to exhibit that painting in Fairfield because it is abstract a nd sort of wild, and yet, here it was the one that was stolen!” If you have any knowledge about the painting, please call 641-472-7767. If you took the painting, by June 15 please bring it to Entrée Gallery or mail it to Suzanne Stryker, c/o Entrée Gallery, 203 West Broadway, Fairfield, IA 52556. Please wrap carefully in thick layers of bubble wrap. |
February 11, 2008
Fairfield artist seeks two stolen paintings REGISTER STAFF REPORTS A Fairfield artist is trying to recover two paintings stolen from a local gallery. Suzanne Stryker says an abstract painting was stolen earlier this year and watercolor of a flower was taken about two weeks ago. Both paintings were taken from the Entrée Café Gallery near the Fairfield Post Office. Stryker worked on the abstract painting for six or seven years. "I finished it just this year," she said. "This is not like having your TV stolen. I have a lot of hours invested in them. To me, they are like a child I nurtured." Fairfield police say they are investigating. More expensive paintings were left untouched. Vipul Gupta, owner of the café and gallery, said he knows of no other paintings that have been taken. "We are a restaurant, not strictly a gallery," he said. "Hundreds o not huge paintings. They were little enough to put in a backpack." Stryker said she would drop charges against the culprit if the paintings were returned. The abstract work was not her usual style and she said she was almost afraid to show it. "But I guess if it's good enough to steal it's good enough to sell." She now plans to paint more of them. |
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Famous Art Can End Up in Unusual Places
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Happy Endings to Art Crimes
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The Journal Reader Comments Only in Fairfield would the response from the victim of the theft be so peaceful. Merry Christmas, everyone. Beth Dalbey, Des Moines, Iowa |
MUSEUM SECURITY NETWORK
The Reader The Only Crime that Leaves You Feeling Loved by Suzanne B. Stryker Over nine months ago, a colorful abstract acrylic painting was stolen from my art exhibit in Fairfield. But this was not a one-night stand. Recently a second painting was stolen from my current solo show at Entrée Café Gallery, right across the street from the Fairfield Post Office. This is no reflection against the establishment; even the finest museums get robbed. This time the thieves took a watercolor of a peach and red colored peony flower. Around the same time, a Picasso painting was robbed from Brazil’s premier modern art museum. Picasso has had more works of art stolen (551!) than any other artist in the world. My advice to the thieves: help Picasso maintain that status and leave the smaller artists like me alone! The Des Moines Register interviewed me three times about my art thefts and posted an article with photographs on its website. In response to the article, a reader wrote, “I like those paintings, The first one reminds me of Georgia O’Keefe, and the second one seems like a cross between Picasso’s cubism phase and Jackson Pollack, and a stained glass window. I hope she gets them back.” I wonder where the paintings are now. Maybe the thieves gave one to their mother and the other to a lover. I want to know — did they like the paintings? Do they go with the couch? Why did they take and take again — is the business that good? Who wants this kind of art? If the new owners like my paintings so much, how about calling me directly and cutting out the middleman? Why did the thieves steal those particular paintings and not a nearby oil painting priced twice as high? Was it personal taste or professional incompetence? Did they flunk Art Theft 101? Their fence should be furious. Many people have bought my art, but no one until now has ever dared risk going to jail for five years and having it go on their record permanently. The thieves could be considered to be my biggest fan! On the other hand, selling paintings is how I make my living. I feel slapped and deeply complimented twice, but not so complimented that I don’t want my paintings back. If anyone has seen them, please call me at 641-472-7767. I am offering a $200 reward for the safe return of the paintings. I would like to communicate with the robbers: I want you to know that I will drop the charges if the paintings are returned. Please let me know if my paintings are okay. You could contact me through my website, www.paintyoga.com. I am not trying to trick you; email me from the library or somewhere where it could not be traced. Also, I am tempted to tell you: If you know people that appreciate my paintings, let’s work together. Let’s go legit, I’ll be generous with commission. |
| We recently received correspondence from artist Suzanne Stryker, and what she had to say shocked us. “I need your help in catching the thief of my artwork,” she pleads. It seems that Ms. Stryker, whose paintings were on exhibit at Entrée Café Gallery in Fairfield, has been struck by lightning twice — a thief has stolen two of her ‘babies,’ as she refers to them. “Normally, paintings aren’t stolen until the artist is dead and the painting is worth a few million!” she says. “The paintings were uninsured. This was an unusual crime the first time it happened, and certainly the second time. I feel slapped, yet deeply complimented, twice!” The first painting is a colorful abstract acrylic painting about 14 x 16 inches, valued at $500. The second is a watercolor of a peach and red peony, measuring 10 x 12 inches, valued at $200. Images of the paintings can be seen at her Web site, www.paintyoga.com. Her theory is that the thief isn’t a local. In a town of 10,000, she says that it would be hard for the thief to display or sell the paintings without them being recognized. She is pleading for the thief to return the paintings. “I am not trying to trick the thief,” she says. “I want him/her to know that I will drop the charges if he/she returns the paintings — just mail the paintings to Entrée Gallery, 203 West Broadway, Fairfield, IA 52556. What she’s wondering, though, is why did the thief choose one of the paintings over a nearby, more traditional oil painting that was priced twice as high.“Was this due to personal preference or professional incompetence? Art Theft 101 would tell you to steal the most valuable paintings,” she jokes. We’re glad to see that Ms. Stryker, besides having a big heart by offering to wait to file charges, is maintaining her sense of humor throughout the experience. —Roderick Kabel |
| A third painting was stolen from artist Suzanne B. Stryker's exhibits. |
Red Peony - 3rd Stolen Painting -
RECOVERED
RECOVERED
| Pink and White Eyed Creatures - 2nd Stolen Painting |
IOWA CITY PRESS-CITIZEN
Reader Comments
Reader Comments