Art Thieves, Fakers and Fraudsters

Art crime is soaring. Every year as much as $10 billion worth of artworks are stolen. Many more are vandalized, damaged or destroyed. Added to this is a flourishing world of fakes and forgeries, often sold for millions of dollars and hanging in the world’s most prestigious galleries. If you think this is happening only in Paris, London and New York, prepare to be surprised as art curator Penelope Jackson reveals the underbelly of the New Zealand art world.

“Jackson has pursued all manner of research trails that have included local and international interviews, and detective work in galleries and auction houses, and in front of paintings . . . The book is absolutely fascinating.” —Paula Green, Sunday Star-Times

“[Jackson’s] book delves into the world of real art crime – the holding up at gunpoint and snatching a painting from the wall, cops and robbers kind.” —Judy Millar, Art News NZ

“Penelope Jackson reveals stunning local stories . . . cases of dodgy provenance, family feuds, scandalous security breaches and brazen forgeries make for a highly compelling read.” —Art News

Penelope Jackson is a prominent New Zealand art historian and frequent public speaker. She worked at the Tauranga Art Gallery from its inception, first as curator, then as director, until 2015. She is a founding member of the NZ Art Crime Research Trust, which presented the inaugural New Zealand Art Crime Research Symposium at Wellington's City Gallery on September 19, 2015.