Orange Coast College is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a valuable Andy Warhol art piece titled “Mao,” which has been reported stolen from the campus. The theft of the 1972 screen print was brought to the attention of college authorities last week, with the artwork last seen in the vault of the Frank M. Doyle Art Pavilion.
Inspired by President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China and his meeting with Chairman Mao Zedong, the screen print is part of a series of 199 silkscreen paintings created by Warhol between 1972 and 1973. The artwork, donated to Orange Coast College in September 2020, holds significant historical and artistic value.
While the exact worth of the stolen print has not been disclosed by the college, it is worth noting that an original Warhol painting from the same series was sold for a staggering $47.5 million in 2015. The college representative did not provide an immediate estimate of the stolen print’s value.
Campus police, in collaboration with the Costa Mesa Police Department, have initiated an investigation into the incident. Orange Coast College authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the stolen artwork to contact the school’s campus safety department at (714) 432-5017 or the Costa Mesa Police Department at (714) 754-5252.
The theft of this significant art piece has raised concerns within the college community and the art world at large. The loss of such a culturally significant work not only impacts the college’s art collection but also deprives the public of the opportunity to appreciate and learn from this iconic representation of a pivotal moment in history.
1 Response
This is absolutely outrageous! How could someone dare steal a valuable Andy Warhol art piece from Orange Coast College? This act of theft not only robs the college of a significant cultural artifact but also deprives the public of the opportunity to appreciate and learn from this iconic artwork.
Andy Warhol’s “Mao” is not just any ordinary painting; it is a piece of history that represents the artist’s unique perspective on politics and power. It is a symbol of artistic expression and a reflection of the