Artist Hushcha has spent more than 60 years creating abstract and figurative works in the Twin Cities area. The 14 paintings recovered are valued at about $60, while four paintings and 80 prints are still missing. The paintings were returned intact, although their frames were another matter. Novak described them as “broken and damaged,” as if the thieves had thrown the works around. He is now planning an exhibition of the returned paintings
Minneapolis police have identified one of two people they believe stole about $80 worth of artwork from the studio of 80-year-old artist Leon Hushcha in a theft involving several works.
Ricardo Andres Bassat, 56, has been charged with aggravated robbery and is expected to appear in Hennepin County District Court on Monday. Police are still searching for his alleged accomplice. Court documents describe Bassat as an “amateur artist who is familiar with various styles of artwork.”
The theft occurred early on the morning of June 2 at Hushcha’s studio in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood. Security camera footage showed two men arriving with an empty cart at about 6:45 a.m., one of them wearing a vest. About 30 minutes later, they left, pushing the cart, which was already loaded and covered with a black cloth. The stolen items included paintings, prints and handmade plates, valued at about $80.
Later, an informant identified the person in the vest as Bassat and pointed him out to police. Police searched his warehouse on July 1 and found 14 of Hushcha’s paintings inside a large black protective box branded “Pelican.” A portfolio of sketches signed “Bassat” was also found in the warehouse, along with postage-paid stationery bearing his name.
"My impression was that he was trying to become an artist himself," Hushcha said.
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"That was definitely my impression and I thought, 'Okay, how crazy can this all get?'"
Hushcha's studio assistant, Carley Novak, called the discovery of Bassat's works mixed in with Hushcha's "the icing on the cake" of the alleged robbery. "They're not bad, he's not terrible, but he's definitely not Leon Hushcha," Novak said.
Hushcha has spent more than 60 years creating abstract and figurative works in the Twin Cities area. The 14 paintings recovered are valued at about $60, while four paintings and 80 prints are still missing. The paintings were returned intact, although their frames were another matter. Novak described them as “torn and damaged,” as if the thieves had thrown the works around.
Hushcha and Novak now plan to turn part of this experience into an exhibition. The found works will be on display in his studio starting September 17, accompanied by the evidence tags that police had placed on them after their recovery.
Bassat was charged in a court summons. Court documents do not show an attorney representing him. His criminal record includes convictions for assault with a dangerous weapon and misdemeanor theft.
Hushcha, for his part, seems more confused than angry. He told the newspaper that if those responsible had simply apologized and taken back their actions, he would have forgiven them.
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"In a sense, it's harmless, but I think it's a lesson for the artist community that they need to be careful with what they do and how they preserve their works," he said.
(Taken from ArtNews)
