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Picasso garden gnome stolen and damaged By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A stolen $16,000 garden gnome has been returned to his owners, though not in the best of shape. The two-foot-tall, 30-pound (13.5-kilogram) clay sculpture of Pablo Picasso pushing a lawnmower was stolen from the backyard of a southeast Oakville home in late June. Last weekend, it was discovered in Raymar Park with damage to its feet, legs and head along with some marker tattoos someone had added to its face and knuckles. "It's disappointing," said Claire Govan, the statue's owner. "I think whoever took it probably just thought it was a funny prank not SUBMITTED PHOTO realizing it was of significant value to seasonal steal: This garden statue was stolen us." from a southeast Oakville home and later found damaged Govan said the statue is valuable to in a nearby park. her family not only monetarily, but Warhol as a pool boy, Vincent Van Gogh sowing because they know the artist, Elliott seeds and Louise Bourgeois catching a spider. Arkin, who created it. After the statue was stolen, Govan and her Govan said the New York artist, whose works can be seen in galleries and museums around the family posted flyers throughout her neighbourworld, worked at the same Massachusetts sum- hood advertising a $500 reward for the statue's return. mer camp attended by her daughter. This reward was given to the woman who The Picasso sculpture was one of a special series created by Arkin, which also included sculp- located the statue in Raymar Park. "The police actually checked Raymar Park tures of Georgia O'Keeffe planting flowers, Andy when he went missing and so did we. So I suspect whoever took it must have dumped it back there," said Govan. "They probably realized what they had taken had significant value and decided to return it... well, not exactly return it." Govan said she has been in contact with Arkin who intends to repair and repaint the sculpture. This work is expected to have considerable cost and also means the family will have to deliver the sculpture to New York and then retrieve it. 15 · Friday, July 6, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com "This is a bit of a hassle for us," said Govan. This is not the first time vandals have damaged a piece of art in the process of pulling off a prank. In September someone removed a life-sized wolf sculpture from the grounds of Erchless Estate and placed it on a family's doorstep in Bronte. One of the sculpture's legs was broken off during the transport. Anyone with information about the garden gnome incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Sore Feet, Sports Injury, Painful Ingrown Toenails? Plantar Warts? We can help! Exceptional footcare for all ages. · Routine footcare · Corns & calluses · Plantar warts · Heel/arch/foot pain · Diabetic footcare and education · Thick or ingrown nails · Nail surgery · Sports related foot problems & injuries · Custom made orthotics · Sigvaris® compression stockings · Evenings and saturday appointments available · New patients welcome! J. Richard Werkman CHIROPODIST Visit our website, subscribe to our Blog or call for an appointment. Ample Free parking. located on the north/west corner of maple grove dr. and cornwall rd. 1495 Cornwall Rd., Suite 33, Oakville T: 905-845-4817 www.werkman.ca Interior Design House The store where great taste isn't expensive LARGEST COLLECTION OVER 40 0 0 PAIRS IN STOCK! At Interior Design House, we take a common sense approach to design. The most important element of a design is that it is a reflection of you: your tastes and lifestyle. At Interior Design House, whether we're helping you find the perfect sofa or redesign your entire home, we consider your individual needs. With new one of a kind products arriving daily, our talented designers are always on site to answer your questions and guide you through our showrooms and extensive inventory. Together we can create a unique design that works for you at an attractive price point. FAMOUS EUROPEAN BRAND NAMES ALL UNDER ONE ROOF 4047 Fairview St. Burlington, ON L7L 2A4 Burlington 500 Speers Road, Oakville, ON L6K 2G3 Oakville 905.634.3439 www.interiordesignhouse.com 905.339.3439 INGEBORG'S WAREHOUSE Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 to 5 Sat. 10-5 Sun. 11 to 4 Monday - Wednesday 10:00 - 5:30, Thursday - Friday 10:00 - 9:00 Saturday 10:00 - 5:30, Sunday 12:00 - 5:00 1681 FINFAR COURT, MISSISSAUGA 905.823.7415 LOOK FOR US ON