Art thieves leave mystery behind
By: Will Reisman
Examiner Staff Writer
March 20, 2009
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| Thieves took four paintings by Pacifica-based artist Terry Hoff from the Michael Rosenthal Art Galley on Valencia Street, but the rest of the gallery’s art was left behind. |
In a crime that has left those concerned a bit befuddled, thieves broke into an art gallery in the Mission District sometime between midnight and 3 a.m. Friday morning and stole four paintings created by a somewhat obscure local artist — and didn't lay a finger on anything else.
The burglars, or burglar, used a crowbar to pry open a set of large glass double-doors to make the theft at the Michael Rosenthal Art Galley on 365 Valencia Street, according to Wendy Norris, a company spokeswoman.
While inside, the thieves took four paintings by Pacifica-based artist Terry Hoff, but the rest of the gallery's art was left behind, Norris said.
The four paintings are estimated to have a value of about $50,000, according to Norris.
Norris said the thieves disarmed the alarm, and appeared to have a very methodical manner in carrying out the burglary.
"The cops we talked to said this is incredibly unique," said Norris. "The doors look like a bomb exploded them off their hinges, but everything else about the burglary seemed very meticulous."
No arrests have been made and the case is under investigation, according to Sgt. Lyn Tomioka of the San Francisco Police Department.
The four paintings were each about four feet by four feet, and although Hoff is well-known within Bay Area art circles, his notoriety is pretty limited beyond the region, Norris said.
"We've sent out an alert to all art dealers in the country about this crime," said Norris. "Terry is a very talented guy, but pretty unknown, so how anyone is going to resell these paintings is beyond me. It's not like some Monets were stolen."
Norris said the art gallery's insurance should cover the cost of the stolen paintings.
Hoff said he spent two years on the paintings, which were so recently put on display at the gallery they had not yet been viewed by any art critics. Hoff described the stolen works as "semi-abstract, multi-media" paintings.
"This is just too bizarre," said Hoff. "It's not like this is the first time I've shown at the Mission. It's mind-boggling to think someone would do this."
Hoff said he wasn't aware of any overzealous fans of his work or if anyone was targeting his work for a potential burglary.
The chances of him seeing the work again seem pretty slim, he said.
"I don't know what would motivate someone to do this, but for whatever reason they went through with it," said Hoff. "Hopefully, we'll get them back, but I can't say I'm too optimistic about that."
