Bronze Sculpture by Internationally Known Artist Stolen; Sculptor Sees Theft as Opportunity to Spread Peace

TIVERTON, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tiverton police are looking for the thieves who made off with a 250-pound bronze sculpture, created by Narragansett artist Mimi Sammis.

“Part of me feels disturbed that someone was so desperate they took the sculpture”

The work, entitled Embrace of Life II depicted a female figure with her head tilted skyward and her arms outstretched. It was affixed to a metal base and installed in the garden of the Four Corners Art Center, located in the commercial heart of the small town about a year ago.

The sculpture, valued at $30,000, disappeared from its base sometime Monday night.

Sammis, who owns the work, would like to get Embrace of Life back, but she was philosophical about its disappearance.

“Part of me feels disturbed that someone was so desperate they took the sculpture,” Sammis said. “But I hope the positive energy of the art transforms them. My intent is to be an instrument of peace though my art.”

Her sculpture He Has The Whole World In His Hands was a commission from the Archbishop of Canterbury for Queen Elizabeth’s in honor of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

In 1999 and 2001, Sammis’ body of work was exhibited at the United Nations, and also in The Hague, Netherlands, in conjunction with The Hague Appeal for Peace Conference. Mimi's sculpture Dove Of Peace was awarded to the former United Nations Secretary-General's wife, Nene Annan, during the student observance of the International Day of Peace, for her work with children throughout the world.

“Anne Mimi Sammis' sculpture embraces a form of peace, the inherent goodness and readiness of love and acceptance in humankind,” Agnes Gund, president of Museum of Modern Art, in New York, once said of her work. “Mimi's art makes us all wish for a continuation of the UN's mission of peace in every nook and cranny of this world.”

Sammis is also the host of the PBS-TV series Love to Paint with Mimi. Her artwork is represented in more than 300 public and private collections world wide. Her sculptures range in size from 1-22 feet and incorporate fountains and moveable figures.

If anyone has any information as to the whereabouts of this sculpture please call Sergeant McGill or Officer Caldwell at the Tiverton Police Department, 401-625-6717.

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