Legendary artist Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse has been left disappointed after hearing that a painting of himself was stolen at Longmynd Art Gallery in Hillcrest last week.
The painting, which was created by Dennis Woest, was part of an exhibition which opened on December 4. It was to be auctioned off and the proceeds donated to a charity organisation chosen by Hotstix himself.
“I heard that the painting was stolen and it was unbelievable that someone stole a painting. I was also disappointed at the same time because this was made for a good cause, the artist had approached my management last year to make the portrait and we liked the idea. I appeal to anyone who this might be sold to, to bring it back because it was stolen,” Hotstix told ZAlebs.
Woest said the painting was valued at R20,000.
“I found this as a compliment in a weird way though, they obviously liked it and wanted it in a bad way. I had planned that proceeds made out of it would be given to a charity organisation. I am passionate about South African artists and I have been making their portraits to keep the memory of them alive. I am currently doing a series of paintings of SA legendary musicians and Sipho was the first one completed and it took me time to finish it,” Woest said.
Gallery owner Brian Goldie said men entered the gallery and pretended to want to buy the painting.
“Two men told gallery manager they were interesting in buying it. The manager took down from the wall, and the men were going to pay using a credit card. When she [the manager] was processing the transaction, it failed so she tried manual transaction. While she was busy with one guy, the other one sneaked out with it. After the transaction failed, the manager went back to put the painting on the wall but it was not there and the men had disappeared,” said Goldie.
KZN SAPS Spokesperson Lietenant Nqobile Gwala said no arrest had been made at this stage and the painting is still missing.
Image Credit: www.hotstix.co.za