Art Thieves
Our speaker this week was Judge Arthur (‘Art’) Tompkins, whose most impressive CV can be found on our website.
In addition to his duties as a lawyer and judge, Art has become an expert in the specialised field of Art Crime, about which he lectures widely, and studies further, especially in Europe.
It is an interesting and romantic subject. The theft or looting of artistic treasures goes back to the dawn of civilisation. In recent times it has involved colourful artifacts and even more colourful thieves. One such was the notorious Adam Worth, who was the model for Sherlock Holmes’ archenemy, Dr Moriarty.
Because art thieves tend to focus on the most valuable artworks, they often target high profile aristocratic owners, or the very rich. Other thefts are from galleries and museums, where the security measures are often slack, and far from what one sees in the movies.
Art Tompkins took us through the ‘Museum of the Missing’- works that have been stolen and never recovered. Some may have been destroyed.
The market for valuable artworks in opaque. The rich may not wish to admit to owning art, nor to admit when they have been stolen.
In Art’s opinion, artworks are stolen, not because they can be on-sold, but because they can be ransomed, usually to the insurer, or used as collateral for criminal loans. He doubts there are rich connoisseurs with stupendous secret collections.
Art is an accomplished speaker whose presentation was lavishly illustrated, and much appreciated by our members.
Poll: Have you ever been bullied?
People associate bullying with children in schools, but it can actually stretch beyond childhood to workplaces or neighbourhoods.
This Friday is Pink Shirt Day, which began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. People across the globe are now encouraged to wear pink on this day to take a stand against bullying and promote inclusivity.
Have you or your whānau ever experienced bullying? Share your thoughts on Pink Shirt Day below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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79.7% Yes
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19.9% No
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0.4% Other - I'll share below
Government to Reintroduce Charter Schools
The reintroduction of charter schools in New Zealand seems little more than a sop to National’s right wing ideologues and will achieve little except the diversion of funds from the already financially stretched state schools.
There appears to be little, if any evidence that they especially benefit underperforming children, who indeed appear better off in a state system, provided adequate support is provided. Charter schools also foster conservatism, elitism, and in some instances religious fundamentalism, the cause of so much strife in the world.
It could be argued that of all children who might benefit from a broad state education and mixing with their community peers, it’s those from these conservative, elitist backgrounds.
What's On: PORIRUA SINGYOUR LUNGS OUT CHOIR
PORIRUA SINGYOUR LUNGS OUT CHOIR
- Supper Room, Mungavin Hall
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