Chris Moore's stolen sculpture which is part of his 'Introduced Species' series. Photo: CHRIS MOORE
An Auckland artist who's huge galvanised steel sculpture was allegedly stolen last week believes it was targeted by thieves who thought it was more valuable than it is.
The near six-metre sculpture went missing from an artist's studio in Oratia, West Auckland early on Friday morning.
Artist Chris Moore said the sculpture, created as part of his 'Introduced Species' series, would have cost him more than $50,000 in time, materials and labour, but is likely to be worth less than $50 as scrap metal.
He told Morning Report he was stunned to learn the sculpture had been taken.
He said his neighbour had spotted the thieves early that morning, and tried chase after them as they fled the scene.
"It's just bizarre," Moore said.
"It's just something I never in a million years thought would have happened."
The sculpture, a large plant, was the last piece in a series inspired by the idea of early settlers introducing different species to New Zealand, and the impact this had.
"I'd love to get it back," he said.
"I made it throughout the year, but I estimate it'd be just around two months to make it."
The thieves targeted the statue believing it to be made of valuable bronze, Moore believed.
"Even though it's just steel, it was painted and it resembled copper or bronze, the same as rest from the same series," he said.
"I think that they must've just thought that it was bronze, because then it's easy for them to melt down, and it can't really be traced, and then they're able to sell it to scrap dealers."
Bronze was worth a lot more than steel, Moore said.
"I'm kind of hoping they realise before they cut it all to pieces and, maybe, try and dump it."
Police said there had been no arrests and the investigation was ongoing.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
