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Heavy metal sculpture flew the coop

By Mike McLaughlin
The Brooklyn Paper
Helen Ramsaran

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A beloved Fort Greene sculptor has put up a “generous” reward for the return of a massive bronze piece taken from her Washington Avenue front yard between April 10 and 12.

Thieves stole a museum-exhibited bronze nest — weighing at least 400 pounds — from between Gates Avenue and Fulton Street while the artist was away.

The purloined sculpture, called “Nesting Piece,” was designed as the centerpiece of a work by Helen Ramsaran made of eight other sections that encircle the now-missing artwork when they are all displayed together. Fortunately for Ramsaran (and unfortunately for local hoodlums), the other sections are being displayed elsewhere.

The bronze focal point had stood in front of Ramsaran’s studio since it was forged in 1996.

“I wanted to beautify the neighborhood and make the corner more exciting,” she told The Brooklyn Paper.

That it was stolen while she was away for less than 48 hours was particularly galling.

“I was shocked. Once I left for a year and nobody touched it,” she said.

If the culprits carted it away thinking they had hit the scrap metal jackpot, they will be sadly mistaken when they try to cash in.

“They must not know much about metals. Bronze is not worth anything as scrap, because it’s an alloy made from three other metals,” said Ramsaran.

Perhaps the villains are art collectors. Ramsaran said the piece has been shown in the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia and the Studio Museum in Harlem.

Whatever the thieves’ motive, Ramsaran hopes to retrieve the piece.

“I just hope that it’s still intact,” Ramsaran said.

Ramsaran is offering a “generous reward” for the stolen work of art. Call (718) 399-3557 with info.

©2008 The Brooklyn Paper

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