British artist Christopher Stone is urgently appealing for help to locate the iconic Bertha sculpture, a beloved landmark on the Spanish island of Ibiza, which was stolen in what is believed to be a prank.
The Disappearance of Bertha
Bertha, a 12-stone, 6ft 2in sculpture, vanished from the entrance of an art studio near the resort of Santa Eulalia last Friday. It had stood in that spot for six years, becoming a local landmark where tourists frequently stopped to take selfies.
Christopher Stone, who runs Lost Artist Ibiza—a cluster of converted farm buildings on the road between Ibiza Town and Sant Joan, near the high-end restaurant Bambuddha—first raised the alarm in an SOS appeal on an expat Facebook group earlier this week.
Stone's Appeal
In his post, Stone wrote: “Our entrance sculpture 'Bertha' has been stolen. Please help us by sharing this post around Ibiza and online. It’s a very large and recognisable sculpture, so somebody will have seen something or may suddenly notice it appearing somewhere. We’re hoping this was taken as a joke or prank and can simply be returned, no questions asked.”
He added: “Because Bertha is such a prominent and well-known piece, it would be very difficult for anyone to openly keep or sell. If anybody has any information at all, please contact us privately. Thank you for sharing.”
Stone told reporters: “I pass by about twice a day to go to my studio and on Friday Bertha wasn’t there. There’s been a good response from people but no clues as to where it is.” He noted that police informed him they had low expectations of recovering the sculpture due to a lack of surveillance cameras in the area.
Community Response
The appeal has garnered widespread support. A UK-based artist friend responded: “This is shocking. I’m so sorry Chris. It will be found..not so easy to hide.” Upset Ibiza resident Carolyn Kroon commented: “Oh nooo Chris not Bertha! What’s wrong with people? Hope they bring her back real quick. Idiots.”
Clare Fisher wrote: “Hope you get Bertha back. I live 12 kilometres down the same road. Shared. People are sick,” adding, “Karma will get them back.” Stone replied to Fisher: “Thanks Clare. It’s a bit of a landmark. Not easy to shift. I am sure those concerned have miserable lives anyway.”
About Bertha
Bertha depicts a woman in a large yellow hat carrying a small pig under her arm. The character is intended to represent a fun, eccentric local personality. Stone and the community remain hopeful that the sculpture will be returned unharmed.
