NT: Thieves raid priceless Aboriginal works

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2008
NT: Thieves raid priceless Aboriginal works

DARWIN, April 1 AAP - At least eight priceless artworks have been stolen in a heist
at the Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery in Darwin.

Police said security staff at the museum, in the Fannie Bay district, raised the alarm
shortly before 4.30am (CST) today after finding thieves had smashed a window to get inside
before fleeing with the paintings.

The stolen works include six Papunya Tula style paintings as well as a central Australian
watercolour painting from the Namatjira family.

The gallery is renowned for its collection of Aboriginal art.

"At least eight paintings have been taken from the display area in the museum," Darwin
Police Watch Commander Bob Harrison said.

"We've had the museum staff initially attend and they've told us that the value of
the paintings is priceless, so we are carrying out further investigations.

"We're getting our forensic people and our investigators to carry out further investigation
at the scene."

AAP gr/sjm/maur/jlw

KEYWORD: GALLERY

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