University of Canberra Sidney Nolan art thieves unmasked

The masterminds behind an audacious art heist which netted several prized Sidney Nolan art works have been unmasked. FIND OUT HOW

University students have been unmasked as the masterminds behind an audacious art heist which netted a prized Sidney Nolan painting and a string of other artworks worth tens of thousands of dollars.

In a stunning revelation, it can been revealed a total of five paintings and four etchings were stripped from the walls of a secure University of Canberra building but the robbers were never prosecuted.

"Mask VIII" by Sidney Nolan was stolen from Canberra University. Picture: Supplied

Documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws revealed the theft, which was the subject of a national police and Interpol alert, was an “inside job” carried out by students with access to the secure building as an “orientation week prank”.

It has become one of the great Australian art robbery mysteries when the Sidney Nolan painting from his Mask series and others disappeared from the fast-growing University art collection.

Stolen artworks Butterflies in the Sunflower Field by artist MILAN TODD. Source: Interpol

The paintings, which were stolen 20 years ago, were listed with The Art Loss Register the world’s largest registry of stolen works and also with Interpol’s art crime squad. But it can now be revealed they were recovered in mysterious circumstances.

Julian Radcliffe, president of the Art Loss Register, an expert in the world of stolen and looted art recovery. Picture: Lucas Oleniuk/Toronto Star via Getty Images

The robbery was reported to the ACT police, but police say they were never told that the art works had been recovered.

University of Canberra. Picture: Supplied

FOI documents obtained include internal University memos which give a window into the robbery revealing there was no sign of forced entry and it was concluded someone with a key had accessed the building taking the expensive art works. It was complicated by the robbery taking place during a weekend when a storm knocked out electronic key entry records and telephone lines.

Kenneth Jack "Birdsville, Qld" was stolen form the University of Canberra. Picture: Supplied Interpol

The University Property Administrator at the time, Jacinta George, wrote to the hierarchy saying “it appears those who removed the works were aware of their value.”

The late Vice Chancellor, Don Aitken AO, said it was important art thefts were pursued and the stolen paintings were listed as stolen.

Gathering Pandanus Nuts by Percy Trezise was stolen from Canberra University. Picture Supplied.

But when the paintings were handed in to a Canberra-based solicitor by a university student and the details of the brazen theft were revealed – the decision to pursue and prosecute the thieves was dropped.

In a memo, then Vice Chancellor Aitken said: My understanding is that there is no legal requirement on the university to pursue the matter of the theft further … I will notify the police the paintings have been recovered, and that, it is to be hoped, will be the end of the matter.”

Art theft has become Australia’s fast growing crimes and has been identified by the FBI and the United Nations as one of the most lucrative globally, after drugs and weapons trafficking.

Australian Forensic Art Historian, Dr Pamela James, has said that art crime often goes “unrecognised, unreported and unsolved” and that is compounded by a wall of silence around the thefts.

Dr Pamela James, art historian who has campaigned for an art crime police squad. Picture: Natalie O'Brien

Hundreds of works are stolen every year in Australia, prompting large insurance payouts and many are never seen publicly again.

A University spokeswoman said this week an insurance claim was processed and settled for the stolen artworks, and the insurance monies were repaid following their return.

She said “a student returned the art, and it is not known if the student was involved in the theft or not.”

The spokeswoman said the Sidney Nolan is still owned by the University of Canberra and is on display in a secure location.

She said the University has made multiple security enhancements since the heist.

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Originally published as University of Canberra Sidney Nolan art thieves unmasked