PORT ANGELES — Thieves seem to be attracted to Gabrielle Glasen’s artwork.
For the third time in two years, one of Glasen’s art pieces has been stolen — this time from the property on which it was stored.
Someone took “Mother Earth,” a silver, 4-foot statue of a rounded, armless, extremely well-endowed female figure mounted on a driftwood log.
The sculpture was on display at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center in 2011, with a listed sale price of $1,500.
Its theft took place from a property on O’Brien Road, east of Port Angeles.
The theft was reported March 19 to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, and the investigation is open and active, but there are no leads on the missing Gaia figure, said Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Lyman Moores.
Glasen was not staying at the property at the time, so the statue’s disappearance was not immediately noticed, Moores said.
It was taken at some time after Dec. 1, 2011, the last time it was seen, he said.
“It is quite heavy, and I believe it must have taken two individuals to perpetrate the crime,” Glasen said.
There were no witnesses to the theft, she said.
Glasen’s sculpture in downtown Port Angeles was stolen and returned after the theft was reported.
Glasen’s “Unipus,” a sculpture of a one-armed sea creature displayed on a Front Street pedestal, was taken in September 2010 then returned to the same location.
Then last September, a Glasen painting, titled “Raven” was taken from Landings Art Gallery, 115 E. Railroad Ave.
A security camera image from the gallery showed a woman with long, dark hair taking the painting.
“Raven” has not been found.
At the time, Glasen said she thought it was ironic that the person who took the artwork titled “Raven” chose that particular painting because it depicts a raven stealing the sun, painted on a wood slice.
“It is quite curious that thieves like art,” Glasen said.
Glasen said she hopes the thieves will return the statue without damage.
“Mother Earth was made with the utmost reverence to our Earth and to the mothers of all children. I hope the thieves honor her beauty and don’t destroy it,” Glasen said.
“Maybe the love I put into it will bless these unfortunate thieves,” she said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
