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Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Friday, 8th February, 2008 12:30

Artless theft

By David Knox

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Image related to story, see caption or article text

Callum's original drawing for the Penilee artwork

RUTHLESS robbers have snatched a priceless heavyweight present from the door of a Peebles studio.

And they’ll be lucky if their half-ton haul will net them more than a couple of hundred pounds.

The four-metre-long bronze sculpture was being gifted to the residents of a new housing scheme on the outskirts of Glasgow.

And was due to be unveiled later this month by dignitaries and the very schoolchildren who initially designed it at a special ceremony in Penilee.

But last weekend the artwork – named Callum’s House – was snatched by thieves from the yard of Beltane Studios.

Iomhar Maciver, who runs the renowned workshop at Soonhope Farm, told the Peeblesshire News: “This piece was more than four months in the making from its design stages through in Glasgow to the casting in Peebles.

“Whenever a piece gets to a certain size we have to move it outside although we have never had anything stolen before.

“Whoever was bad enough to take it will be lucky if they can get two or three hundred pounds for the bronze. No reputable scrap dealer will touch it.”

Bellway Homes Limited commissioned the sculpture as part of an arts project for its new housing development at Penilee.

Drawings by local children inspired Elizabeth Peden from the Gorbals Arts Project to design the bronze centerpiece and 16 accompanying plaques cast in the same metal.

Claire Flanagan from the Gorbals Arts Project is devastated by the theft. She told us: “We have been producing and placing artwork for almost 20 years and have never had a piece stolen.

“Bellway Homes and ourselves have worked very closely to make this idea a reality and there was great excitement that the sculpture was ready to be brought through for the unveiling.”

Callum’s House, which was named after the youngster who drew the tower block design, was due to be positioned adjacent to coloured glass surrounds in the center of a new housing square.

And the individual bronze plaques, which were also developed from local children’s drawings, will be fixed to nearby gateposts.

Norman Yardley, regional director of Bellway Homes, said: “This sculpture was shortly to be installed at our Bowfield development in Penilee, where we had planned to invite the local community and councilors to its unveiling.

“We are obviously very disappointed that the artwork was stolen from the foundry at the weekend.

“The event will now be postponed while the police continue their investigation.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the theft of Callum’s House – which portrays a towerblock perched on top of a hill with clouds floating by.

Officers believe the artwork was taken from Soonhope Farm between Friday and Monday.

A police spokeswoman added: “Enquiries are continuing and we would like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious over the weekend at Beltane Studios.”

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