Happy ending to art theft saga | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

 A stolen painting that was gifted to a woman in Auckland but later returned to its Wanganui creator has attracted $300 in an online auction raising funds for charity.

Michelle Kirk is auctioning one of three paintings that were stolen but then returned to her when its owner realised they had been obtained illegally.

The artwork was gifted to Auckland woman Annette Lovell by Mollie Spiteri, then manager of the Red Lion tavern, who kept three of Ms Kirk's paintings after a 2008 exhibition. 

The artist selected the charity Heart Children because Mrs Lovell's granddaughter has a heart condition.

After seeing a story in the Chronicle with photographs of the missing painting, Mrs Lovell called Ms Kirk and told her she had the paintings.

"I felt so embarrassed and ashamed," she said.

"Mollie is a relative of my husband and she had gifted the paintings to us. To this day I feel so terrible about the whole thing. It's horrifying to think we had stolen paintings hanging in our house and we didn't even know."

Mrs Lovell bought one of the paintings from Ms Kirk. Another painting, Red Nude, has been listed by Ms Kirk on the Trade Me art auction.

Ms Kirk had planned to give the money from the auction to a charity and, after talking about it with Mrs Lovell, chose Heart Children

"I had told her about our 6-year-old granddaughter Jacinda, who has a heart condition that requires ongoing surgery,"said Ms Lovell.

Ms Kirk said it was a lovely ending to the  saga. "I'm very happy the money will go to such an important charity."

 Yesterday bidding on Trade Me for Red Nude was at $300. The auction closes on March 17 at 7.45pm.

Several messages on the site have been sent to Ms Kirk, thanking her for choosing Heart Children as her charity.

"Thank you. it must be so hard having a heart child." 

"I love this painting. I too have a heart baby and she is my hero. Good luck with the auction."

 
 Mollie Spiteri appeared in Whanganui District Court on January 18, 2009, where she was found guilty on charges relating to the theft of the paintings. She was fined $1000.