The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is searching for a suspect after an online video was connected to damaged art at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
The damage to "Delta Trim" allegedly occurred on February 3. The work is a mixed-medium piece was created in 2018 by Maureen Gruben, an Indigenous artist from the Northwest Territories. It includes sections of bubble wrap; it was this section that was damaged after the bubbles were popped.
The VPD was called recently by the gallery after a video was discovered showing the art being damaged by a young male. Police describe the act as "mischief."
The cost to repair the damage is estimated to be between $5,500 and $6,500 - if repair is possible.
“It is very upsetting to see the blatant disregard towards the artist’s time, energy and creative expression that it took to create this piece of art,” says Cst. Tania Visintin in a release.
Police say the suspect is "a dark-skinned man and appears to be between 19 and 23 years old." He's described as having a thin build, brown eyes, and black shoulder-length curly hair.
At the time of the incident he was wearing a black face mask, a dark blue jean jacket, and two dark coloured hooded jackets, according to police.
Police ask anyone who recognizes the suspect or has other information, to call the VPD at 604-717-4022.
