In the history of street art, the story of British artist STIK's community mural's return to its rightful home is a saga that spans continents and embodies the resilience of art and the power of community.
In 2011, STIK left his indelible mark on Gdansk, Poland, collaborating with the Laznia Centre for Contemporary Art to create a striking mural. However, what ensued in the years that followed is nothing short of an art world odyssey.
The mural, titled 'It's Complicated,' was the product of a collaborative effort between STIK and local young people, adding layers of meaning and significance to this already remarkable piece of street art. Tragically, in 2014, both of these murals, painted on shipping containers, mysteriously vanished from their original location in Gdansk and reappeared in a London gallery severed and divided into pieces, each commanding a price of around £30,000 a piece.
Enter Lamberty Antiques, the entity that had 'acquired' these artworks. STIK, incensed by the sale of his murals without his consent, publicly condemned the transaction. Pieces of the murals were scattered to other locations, including Bankrobber and Galerie Kronsbein in Germany. In the midst of this turmoil, one of the young participants in the creation of 'It's Complicated,' known as 'Miss Take,' and founder of the collective 'Graffiti Ladies,' emerged as a steadfast advocate for the return of the mural to its rightful home.
For the next five years, STIK and 'Miss Take' waged a relentless campaign, galvanising support and petitioning for the restitution of the stolen mural. The battle was far from easy, but in 2019, their unwavering efforts finally bore fruit. An agreement was struck with Lamberty, leading to the complete recovery of the community mural. The mural was then meticulously packaged and shipped back to Gdansk, reuniting it with the community that had contributed to its creation.
STIK and Miss Take at the Institute of Art and Law. Photo: courtesy of STIK
While the bulk of the missing pieces from STIK's other solo mural were retrieved and subsequently destroyed in England by the artist to prevent their re-entry into the art market, some still linger as missing fragments, listed on the Art Loss Register.
STIK, a philanthropic artist known for using his creations to generate funding for charities worldwide, commented, "I only permit the sale of street artwork when the money goes directly back to the community it was painted for." This commitment to the community's well-being underscores the essence of his art.
As 'Miss Take' aptly put it, "I'm really happy to see the mural coming back to Gdansk; it has been really hard work to get it back where it belongs. Finally!" As of now, the mural resides in a storage facility on the outskirts of Gdansk, awaiting the perfect public space where it can once again be a source of inspiration and pride for the local community. The triumphant return of STIK's community mural is not just a victory for art but a testament to the enduring spirit of those who champion it.
We are privileged to offer one of Stik’s original mural “GDANSK 01 (YELLOW), 2019”. Please get in touch if you’re interested in adding this rare piece to your collection.
