Work by B.C. artist stolen from museum

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Several gold pieces by one of Canada’s best-known modern artists, Bill Reid, have been stolen from the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology.

Spokesman Scott Macrae said the break-in and robbery happened sometime Friday night or Saturday morning.

“It was a collection of Bill Reid gold items,” he said. Some Inca gold necklaces were stolen as well, he said.

He said about 10 pieces were taken.

“There had to be some damage (to the museum) in order for the items to be removed. To what extent that is, I don’t know” he said. The value of the stolen pieces was not known.

Reid is considered one of Canada’s most important artists of the 20th century. The Web site for the Bill Reid Foundation lists four of his works that are used on the Canadian $20 bill.

He was trained as a goldsmith and worked in sculpture, carvings, jewelry and painting. His work reflects traditional Northwest Coast native art.

Reid died in 1998.