INTERNATIONAL wildlife artist Pip McGarry is shocked and saddened after thieves stole a number of valuable works from his gallery in the gift shop at Marwell Zoo, near Winchester.
Eleven paintings and drawings, with a combined retail value of £164,000 were taken overnight between 6pm on Thursday 8 December and Friday 9 December.
Pip said:
I am devastated that this has happened. I am a self-taught artist with a lifelong passion for art and wildlife. Painting is also my livelihood and it’s a huge blow to lose these pieces, many of which were painted from photographs I’ve taken on safari in Tanzania and Botswana.
I love exhibiting my work at Marwell and am proud of the long-standing relationship I have with the charity.
The stolen artworks include a pencil sketch and ten framed oils on canvas, depicting African subjects including Sumatran tigers, snow leopards and elephants.
Marwell Wildlife’s Chief Executive, James Cretney said:
We are hugely disappointed and distressed by the theft. The paintings represent months of hard work by the artist, who is a long-standing supporter and great friend of Marwell. Art sales also contribute to Marwell’s extensive conservation work in the field.”
We are working closely with Pip, as well as the police, to support their efforts to recover the paintings and find the culprits.
Pip has been the artist-in-residence at Marwell Zoo for over seventeen years. In 2014 Marwell refurbished their retail outlet to include gallery space to showcase his work.