Greetings everyone,
It is with deep regret that we issue this announcement regarding a second incidence of theft at Jonathan LeVine Gallery.
On Saturday, March 8th at approximately 4:45pm, another original drawing by Lori Earley was stolen off the wall of her current solo exhibition Fade to Gray. This comes only one week after the first occurrence of theft the gallery has ever experienced (also a Lori Earley drawing) which happened on Wednesday, February 27th at approximately 5pm. We are releasing this as our official public announcement to alert our clients, collectors, and friends, of the incident—spreading awareness in the hopes that someone comes forward with information leading to the whereabouts of one or both of the missing pieces.
The first stolen drawing was Untitled. It’s unframed dimensions were 10"H x 8"W, and when stolen, it was in an elaborate white frame, measuring 16"H x 14"W with about a 3” depth. The second stolen drawing Awaiting, was a bit larger than the first. The unframed dimensions were 16”H x 12”W, and when stolen, it was also in a white frame measuring 22.5”H x 18.5”W with about a 3” depth. We have included photos of both drawings in question, for your reference and identification.
Both the gallery and the artist are extremely upset and disappointed by these thefts. We are still quite shocked that someone would brazenly steal from us in the middle of the day, and quite embarrassed by the fact that it happened not only once, but twice. We apologize to anyone planning on seeing the exhibition (which is up through March 22, 2008) who will experience the show without these missing pieces.
Please be assured that we are doing everything in our power to protect our artists and their works and prevent any possibility of this occurring again in the future. As a precaution, extra security measures were taken and put into effect immediately following the first incident. We have since implemented additional measures following the second theft, and authorities are conducting further investigation on this ongoing case. For the time being, our doors will remain locked, and all visitors to the gallery must ring our doorbell to be let in.
We have a description of the suspect(s) and are currently working with police to try to identify him. Our first incident coincided with reports of additional robberies that occurred in galleries on the 4th and 2nd floors of our building, within the same time period. A man fitting the same description was seen in all three galleries, just moments before each robbery occurred. All reports confirm that the suspect in question is a white male, approximately 6’2” tall, in his mid-to-late thirties. He was seen wearing a blue baseball hat with a navy blue backpack, and he spoke with a very heavy New York accent.
We would greatly appreciate any help you might have with finding the missing works. If you or anyone you know has information as to who might have committed these thefts or leads on possible location of the stolen drawing(s), please contact the gallery immediately at (212) 243-3822 or info@jonathanlevinegallery. We are offering a reward for their return. We greatly appreciate your attention and cooperation regarding this matter.
Thank you,
Jonathan LeVine
Untitled, Framed
Awaiting, Framed
