Bushwick Open Studios 2015 has its first victim. A large painting in the value of $3,600 by Bushwick painter Don Pablo Pedro got stolen last night from English Kills gallery.
The show titled “Don Pablo Pedro PAINTER” opened last night, on June 5, at one of Bushwick’s quintessential galleries, English Kills. Openings at English Kills regularly attract crowds thanks to the excellent art, as well as its friendly atmosphere. Last night was exactly one of those nights. People were standing in the yard, hanging out at the gallery, looking at the recent paintings of Don Pablo Pedro, talking and sipping on canned PBRs.
Last guests left the gallery at 4 a.m. in the morning when the gallery owner Chris Harding locked the gallery and went to his nearby home on Flushing Ave.
Curiously, when he returned on Saturday at noon, one of the large 60 by 42 inch paintings was missing.
“The gallery was locked up but the bathroom is in the hallway, so the people sometimes leave that [back] door open,” told us Chris. “Also the front door of the building was open all night. It’s Bushwick Open Studios–there’s a lot going on in the building,” continued Chris.
“I just want to try and get the word around because I don’t think the painting has left Bushwick,” told us robbed artist Don Pablo Pedro. “I’m mostly upset that the show wasn’t able to live as a whole for longer than 24 hours. I was so happy to see everyone who came out last night from all facets of my life.”
“It was definitely someone who was at the opening,” concluded Pedro.
Chris Harding told us that he is not going to call the cops.
“Bushwick is a small place where people know one another,” said Chris. “I have a feeling we’re going to get the painting back this weekend. ”
“It also is a testament to Pedro’s work that someone was willing to risk a grand theft,” said Chris Harding half-jokingly. “It was one of the best pieces in the show–at least the person has a good taste, I’m gonna give them that.”
UPDATE: Don Pablo Pedro just informed us that he received an email from a person who was given the painting on the street around Bushwick Collective this afternoon. Through googling they’ve discovered that the painting was reported missing. Apparently, the painting is currently on Roosevelt Island–undamaged.
UPDATE 2: The painting was retrieved at Roosevelt Island and undamaged returned to English Kills.
Artist Don Pablo Pedro at Friday night’s opening at English Kills.
At English Kills yard.
