Police investigating several renaissance statues believed to be installed by art group Mon Abri across the Gold Coast
Police are investigating the mysterious renaissance statues believed to be installed by the self-styled artist group – find out where and what they have done now
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Police are investigating several renaissance statues that mysteriously appeared across the Gold Coast.
On Christmas Day Art Group Mon Abri, which translates to my shelter, posted a collection of photos showing several renaissance statues installed across the Gold Coast.
At least 10 statues were placed across the Coast, including locations such as Kirra Beach, Burleigh Heads and Currumbin Beach.
Acting Mayor Donna Gates said on Wednesday any unapproved art installations would be removed.
“These installations have caused damage to council property and that is vandalism,” she said.
“I urge anyone who witnesses these illegal activities to contact police.
“We will be pursuing prosecutions for all offences.”
Ms Gates said earlier in the week they would remove any installations which weren’t approved by council.
“Apart from safety compliance issues, this may open the flood gate for more and more items to be placed throughout the city and we know that is not what people expect or want.
“I urge those responsible to approach council to discuss possible art installations,” Ms Gates said.
A Kirra resident shared a post to her Instagram story on Wednesday evening and said the renaissance statue in Kirra had been removed.
“Renaissance statues removed from the Gold Coast while abandoned Lime bikes stay,” they posted.
It was unclear which statues had been removed.
On Wednesday evening the art group struck again with another installation of a large banner on Currumbin Bridge which boldly said “don't txt your ex”.
The Bulletin have contacted the group for a comment.
Rebel group art bombs the Gold Coast
Several renaissance statues have again mysteriously appeared across the Gold Coast as locals say they hope the council don’t take them down.
Art group Mon Abri, which translates to my shelter, is taking the credit – or blame depending on your point of view – for at least 10 renaissance statues. On Christmas Day Mon Abri posted a collection of photos showing their statues placed across the city.
One of the mysterious statues in Burleigh Heads appeared only eight days after another was taken down by council which said it was “illegal dumping”.
Acting Mayor Donna Gates said any unapproved art installations would be removed as soon as work crews could be organised.
“Council cannot allow unapproved art to be dumped in parks or reserves,” she said.
“Apart from safety compliance issues, this may open the flood gate for more and more items to be placed throughout the city and we know that is not what people expect or want.
“I urge those responsible to approach council to discuss possible art installations,” Ms Gates said.
A Gold Coast City Council spokesperson confirmed they had spoken to police about removing each of the statues.
According to Mon Abri’s Instagram post the statues are from The Spit in Main Beach to Rainbow Bay.
A Burleigh Heads photographer shared a photo of the Burleigh Heads installation.
“I love it, let it stay with us council,” @captureswithgrace said.
The Mon Abri group also shared an Instagram story on Monday night of an gold installation on a Palm Beach wall.
The Gold Coast City Council have been contacted for comment on what they will do with the new statues.
Revealed: Council decides fate of mystery beach statue
Council has removed a statue that mysteriously appeared in Burleigh Heads late last week.
The sculpture of a half nude woman was pulled down from Burleigh Hill on Monday morning and taken to a city depot, where it can be collected by its owner.
It comes after locals were left scratching their heads when the Greek statue appeared at the iconic location with no explanation of how it got there.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate urged anyone with an interest in having local art installations placed throughout the city to “go through the right channels’’.
“There is a place for (art). In this instance, I look at it as illegal dumping,” Cr Tate said.
“We have a public arts policy and there are clear processes to follow.”
He said council did not know who installed the statue or why.
An art group called “Mon Abri” is believed to be behind the installation.
It posted a video of the statue to Instagram.
According to its website, Mon Abri is described as a “platform for artists to showcase their work to a wider audience” to “disrupt the mundane”.
The group has been contacted for comment.
According to a Bulletin poll, two thirds of 270 voters wanted the sculpture removed, while a third of people wanted it to stay.
Sunday 4pm – ‘It’s tacky’: Mystery statue divides residents
Burleigh locals have been left scratching their heads after a Greek statue mysteriously appeared at an iconic natural attraction.
The cement statue of a half nude woman has sat on Burleigh Hill overlooking the world-class surf breaks since late last week.
Locals can’t explain how it got there or why.
A Burleigh Heads resident of 10 years, who visits the area daily for exercise, first noticed the statue on Friday.
“Whoever installed it had it levelled and cemented in place. It looks quite sturdy,” the resident said.
“I’m not upset by it, it’s just an inconvenience.
“We want Burleigh to remain pristine and when things like this start happening, people think it’s funny, but it sends a message that people can do anything here. It’s very tacky.”
A Gold Coast City Council spokeswoman said council was not aware of the statue being erected and had not received any complaints about it.
“Officers will inspect the site and investigate,” she said.
While the future of the statue remains unclear, some have spoken out in support of it.
Broadbeach resident Sarah Jorgensen first noticed the figure while out for a walk on Sunday.
“I think it should stay – it’s really cool,” she said.
“It’s a bit different and you don’t usually see stuff like this around Burleigh.”
Nook Espresso owner Marcus Wilkins said he became aware of the statue after a customer posted a photo of it online.
“Someone has put a lot of time and effort into it. It’s kind of cool and arty,” he said.
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