When Art Dealers Go Bad: Run Ronnie Run!

Art dealer Ronald Coles at his Kenthurst gallery in 2004. Photo: Natasha Paes/Hills News

In February 2009 hundreds of complaints were filed in Australia concerning art dealer Ronald Coles. This was due to two key factors. First, Coles had orchestrated an art market scheme that involved selling forgeries that he claimed were original works by Norman Lindsay and other famous Australian artists. Apparently he had the fakes created in China. Second, Coles owed millions of dollars to his angry clients and allegedly had stolen authentic works of art as well from his cliental. The forgeries had ended up for sale at auction houses and other venues while the legitimate stolen works had been sold online.

Australian authorities raided the Ronald Coles Investment Gallery and Coles residence only to find a large collection of firearms and hundreds of stolen paintings-- some of which were valued at over $4 million at the time of the bust. Afterwards dozens of former clients discovered that works of art that they had entrusted to Coles had been sold on the internet while others found out that the works they had purchased from Coles were in fact fakes. Unfortunately, Ronald Coles was no where to be found-- he has been on the run since before the police raided his property.

It has since been revealed that Coles had been running his scheme as early as 1994. Rumors state that other professionals within the market were aware of Coles activity but were wary of exposing him out of fear that the market as a whole would be scrutinized. In other words, if those claims are true it would mean that other professionals kept silent while Coles established a national reputation for himself as a legitimate art dealer and broker.

The plot thickens-- Ronald Coles is currently running from more than just the law. Recent buzz claims that Coles vanished with over $1 million in cash that belonged to an under-the-table client-- an outlaw biker (bikie for the people down under) gang in Australia. Needless to say, the biker gang did not bother with a formal complaint to Australian authorities. Instead they intimidated Coles stepdaughter, Sage Carver, who also happens to be an art dealer.

Sage Carver claims that the gang told her that they want to take Ronald Coles for a “ride”. However, the name of the specific gang has yet to be released to the press-- though the story has been confirmed by press in Sydney under the condition of anonymity. Apparently members of the biker gang had shown up at a gallery opening hosted by Carver in order to find out where Coles had gone. The outlaw biker gang members left with five paintings after Carver was unable to provide them with information.

A senior member of the outlaw biker gang, under the condition of anonymity, informed the press that the gang had invested money in Coles operation and that the shamed art dealer owes millions to over a dozen dozen senior members of the gang. The outlaw stated that the biker gang has the resources and the manpower to find Ronald Coles before he is captured by law enforcement, stating that “one way or another“ his gang will get their investment back.

The senior member of the outlaw biker gang made it clear to the press that Ronald Coles can only run for so long. All I can say is that Coles had better keep running-- or do the smart thing and run to the nearest jail cell… though it might be wise for him to pay back a few of his clients first.
Link of Interest:

Bikies want to have a 'chat' about their $1m
www.smh.com.au/national/bikies-want-to-have-a-chat-about-their-1m-20090509-aykb.html?page=-1

Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin
Senior Editor
myartspace.com
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Mark Staff Brandl Paintings "Inadvertently" Stolen from Belmar Laboratory of Art and Ideas

The scene of the crime-- or inadvertent crime.

Readers of the Myartspace Blog may remember my interview with Mark Staff Brandl which was posted in June of 2008. Mark is an art critic-- he writes for New York’s Art in America, SharkForum, and London’s The Art Book. He is also an artist. Mark contacted me yesterday about a story that can only be described as an artists nightmare.

The story involved museum visitors taking more than just informative materials and business cards home-- long story short, over 26 paintings were taken by visitors during an exhibit opening. Needless to say, my jaw dropped when I glanced over the article-- it dropped even further when I realized that the paintings that were “inadvertently” stolen belonged to Mark.

Discussing the exhibit and the theft Mark stated, “This is a great place, with many cutting edge shows. The opening for "Out of Sequence" was apparently enormous, more than 900 people and so on. I was not present. I wish I had been, because after the opening, they noticed that somehow 26 of my 31 paintings displayed in an installation/object had disappeared. Why no one noticed during the opening is beyond me.”

Mark continued, “Granted, my art is popular-looking, and my posters are regularly stolen and reappear framed elsewhere. I have grown to accept this as a compliment. But I have exhibited my small "Cover" paintings in circular spin racks in many venues, cities, even various countries, in museums, galleries, Kunsthallen and more, and never lost a single one.”

At this time The Lab is trying to recover the stolen paintings. For more information please read Mark’s article concerning the theft-- Brandl Art "Inadvertently" Stolen from Museum by Mark Staff Brandl -- SharkForum . Feel free to pass this information on.

Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin
Senior Editor
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Will Tracey Emin’s Sparrow Fly Again?

Will Tracey Emin’s Sparrow Fly Again?

The Roman Standard by Tracey Emin

Did you know that a bronze sparrow can fly? Not really-- but in the hands of a thief a little bronze bird can easily leave her perch. Tracey Emin’s ‘The Roman Standard’-- the first piece of public art created by the artist-- has recently been the target of thieves. The piece, which is located outside the Oratory near the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool, was unveiled three years ago. Emin was commissioned by the BBC to create the piece for the art05 festival. Emin has stated that the sculpture is a symbol of "hope, faith and spirituality" and that her choice of the sparrow represents the “angels of this earth” and “freedom“. At the time she went on to say, "My Roman Standard represents strength but also femininity. Most public sculptures are a symbol of power which I find oppressive and dark." Since that time the bronze sparrow has been relatively safe perched upon a bronze pole. However, in June of 2008 the bird vanished-- for the first time.

In June of this year the £60,000 bronze sparrow went missing for two weeks-- though there has been some discrepancies as to the time-line of events based on what I‘ve read-- leaving a lonely bronze pole and frantic cathedral staff behind. The local authorities had difficulties with their investigation during the first ‘flight’ of Emin’s sparrow because the ownership of the piece had been disputed. The cathedral did not acknowledge ownership and a BBC spokeswoman stated, “The BBC commissioned the sculpture but does not own it and therefore does not have duty of care for its maintenance or welfare. This is covered by White Cube gallery and the artist.” to which a White Cube spokeswoman replied, "The BBC commissioned the piece they are the best people to discuss this with." Apparently the authorities were unable to gather details from the artist, Tracey Emin. There were doubts that the £60,000 bird would return to her perch and questions as to why the three possible owners were not taking a more active role in solving the puzzle.

However, the bird was recovered in early July after an anonymous caller informed BBC Radio where the small bronze bird had been placed. The piece was found on the grounds of the Oratory in an envelope marked "FAO Tracey Emin: URGENT!". A note attached to the sculpture read, "We are sorry - No harm meant. We would have returned it sooner but we were scared xxx."-- which means the thieves had returned to the scene of the crime unnoticed. Upon being retrieved the bronze bird was returned to her bronze perch. However, the bird did not rest for long.

The sparrow took ‘flight’ again this month. The September theft of Emin’s sparrow from her piece, ‘The Roman Standard’, marks the second time in a span of 3 months that the sculpture had been disrupted and the bronze bird stolen. However, this time Emin’s sparrow was returned within a few days by an individual who has yet to be named by authorities. The sculpture was handed over to police who in turn passed it on to BBC Radio Merseyside last Saturday. Will the bronze sparrow take ‘flight’ again? That is the £60,000 question.

Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin
Senior Editor
www.myartspace.com