Artist's frustration over police search for stolen collection
Suzi Malin thought appearance of 'The Leather Boys' would be a strong lead in the hunt for the rest of her work
Friday, 24th February 2023 — By Dan Carrier
Ms Malin’s artwork, The Leather Boys
A CELEBRATED portrait artist whose works attract six-figure sums has spoken of her frustration over a police investigation into her stolen paintings.
Suzi Malin, whose work graces the National Portrait Gallery and who has painted Prince Philip, Elton John, Zandra Rhodes and other well known faces, has been waiting anxiously for detectives to solve the case of two works of art that were taken in a 2018 burglary.
The New Journal reported how they had re-appeared for sale late last year in a West End Gallery. The artists had hoped the discovery of these works, named The Leather Boys, may finally lead officers to a cache of stolen works she lost five years ago and is worth £100,000s.
But the artist, who lives in West Hampstead, told the New Journal this week how she fears with no arrests yet made, her full set may never be recovered.
“The discovery of the two paintings must be a way to find the others but every day that passes, the trail gets a little colder,” she said. “The person holding them has had the chance to hide them, sell them get rid of them. This was a chink of light into the mystery but my paintings are still missing. It is extremely frustrating and upsetting.”
Suzi Malin
Her collection was stolen in August, 2018 when a thief or thieves raided a store in Maida Vale which contained around 400 paintings, including a portrait of Elton John.
The security door showed no signs of forced entry, and Ms Malin believes the thief knew what they were looking for.
Ms Malin said: “When the first burglary occurred, I had to constantly call and write to them. I begged them to come and take a statement but they simply never showed up. I had hoped this development may prompt them to look again for my work. It is out there somewhere and looks like whoever has some was thinking of putting pieces on the market.”
The two paintings discovered last year have been confiscated, but there is no accusation of wrongdoing by the dealer.
A Met Police spokesman said they would not provide further comment on the investigation but said here were no live arrest warrants for anyone connected with the case at the moment.
