Bryan Eccleshall

bank street arts residency - gone

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"Gone"

A Wall Painting

The Mona Lisa was stolen on August 22nd, 1911. At the time the painting was believed to be lost forever, and it would be two years before the thief was discovered. Louvre employee Vincenzo Peruggia stole it by entering the building during regular hours, hiding in a broom closet and walking out with it hidden under his coat after the museum had closed.

Peruggia was an Italian patriot who believed Leonardo's painting should be returned to Italy for display in an Italian museum. After having kept the painting in his apartment for two years, Peruggia grew impatient and was finally caught when he attempted to sell it to the directors of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence; it was exhibited all over Italy and returned to the Louvre in 1913. Peruggia was hailed for his patriotism in Italy and only served six months in jail for his crime.

(Text adapted from Wikipedia).

'Gone' was one of two wall works created during the residency. The other was 'After'

When the residency came to an end, the painting was covered with a false wall. There is now simple plaque commemorating the work which remains present but obscured.

Click here to see a short video of the 'cloaking'.

Ot is hoped that this piece will form the basis of further work during Sheffield's Poetry Festival in 2011.

Watch this space.