Oil painting is stolen
Picture taken from studio
A £600 artwork which was due to go on display in Stirling next month has been stolen.
The oil painting of the River Forth by Dunblane artist Iona Leishman was taken from her studio at the Cowane Centre last month in circumstances that remain a mystery.
Iona painted the piece as part of an exhibition, titled ‘The Windings of the Forth’, which is due to begin at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum from August 18.
It will feature Iona’s original paintings displayed alongside highlights from the museum’s own collection of Forth River paintings.
Iona’s painting, which is valued at £600, depicts the River Forth, at the point known as the ‘horseshoe’ and was painted in late April.
It was taken between Sunday June 1, and Wednesday, June 13.
Iona said: “I’m sad about it and it’s disappointing. It’s all very bizarre.
“It was due to be a part of the exhibition which has been an ongoing thing.
“We don’t know how it was taken or exactly when.
“I don’t know what someone would do with it other than hang it up and enjoy it.”
Police have now issued an appeal in an attempt to trace the piece and person who took it before the exhibition opens to the public at the Smith.
Inspector Mark Murphy, of Stirling Police Station said: “The theft of this painting is depriving the artist of her living and we are keen to recover it and return it to her.
“Anyone who has information is asked to contact us via 101 quoting incident number 3261 of June 14.”
Iona was Historic Environment Scotland’s first artist in residence at Stirling Castle. Her work has won admirers across the world, including Stirling TV presenter and historian, Dr Neil Oliver.
She has also spent time producing work across Europe and as far away as Indonesia.
I’m sad about it. It’s disappointing, bizarre