A UK art gallery owner says he will continue to sell Rolf Harris’ paintings despite a vandal’s attempt to cover them up with black paint.
UK police are investigating an incident in which paint was smeared across the windows of a Torquay art gallery, apparently to obscure the 83-year-old’s paintings.
The Australian-born artist and television entertainer was last week named as one of 12 men arrested by officers investigating the Jimmy Savile scandal.
Triton gallery owner David Phelps confirmed the vandalism took place but said the incident “does not reflect the opinions of members of the public who are coming in here”.
“Someone has put black paint on the window. It is only superficial and has been removed,” Mr Phelps told UK newspaper The Independent.
“I don’t think my staff are perturbed by what has happened and I am not worried at all.
“We are going to continue to sell Rolf Harris’ paintings. They are continuing to sell well throughout the country irrespective of the allegations.
“I have checked with the publishers who have over 60 galleries across the country and they have not had any incidents like this anywhere else.”
Devon and Cornwall police are reportedly seeking a male suspect over the incident, which occurred early on Tuesday morning.
Top-selling tabloid The Sun reported 83-year-old Harris was arrested last month by officers from Operation Yewtree.
Until then, no mainstream media – for legal reasons – had reported the man in question was Harris.
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