A VALUABLE artwork by Fremantle artist Ian de Souza has gone missing after being lent to a streetscape improvement initiative.

Mr de Souza had loaned two prints, Mme Matisse Comes to Freo and Bridging the Gap, to his wife Ros’s Street Gallery, which uses artworks to beautify the street’s stubbornly empty shopfronts.

But on Thursday as the hoarding in front of the shop in the High Street Mall where they were displayed was being removed to make way for a new tenant, Mme Matisse was damaged, while a “middle aged couple” appears to have made off with Bridging the Gap.

• The two artworks had been helping give the High Street Mall a little extra sparkle. Photo by Ros de Souza

Hoardings

Ms de Souza said the missing work had been painted onto a board and bolted to the hoardings, while the other had been on a “rag board” held on by staples.

She said the builder had been aware the artworks were part of Street Gallery, but there was a communication mishap because of someone being on leave, so she’s hoping it’s just been a mix-up and the couple will return the missing work.

But she says it was clearly marked as being under Street Gallery’s banner, so permission should have been sought.

“It was unsigned, but that makes no difference.

“It was no one’s to take,” Ms de Souza said.

“To not contact me or the estate agent to enquire as to its availability is open to interpretation.

“It was a risk Ian and I thought we would take because we love Fremantle,” Ms de Souza said.

Bridging the Gap is more than a title – it is steeped in metaphor,” she said of the work, which captures the replacement of the old traffic bridge.

“This image and others relating to Ian’s current exhibition Port to Pilbara is featured on Fremantle Ports’ tower til the end of April.

“The exhibition opens next Thursday and this piece is central.

Trying to see the silver lining despite the disappearance, Ms de Souza said she had been heartened that the two artworks had survived several weeks without being vandalised, and believes it’s because the homeless community know the volunteers who are trying to spruice up the city’s streets and benefit from the beautification themselves.

“They have not damaged it, and they love it and it lifts their spirits.

“A lot of people are giving their time, because we feel for the street community, even if we don’t always like their behaviour,” Ms de Souza said.

Anyone who has seen Bridging the Gap or has an idea who’s got it, can contact Ms de Souza on 0438 911 346.

by STEVE GRANT