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Metal bird sculpture stolen from art exhibition

Centred Scotland A sculpture of a black bird is perched on a mirrored table. It is apparent it is made of scrap metal with bolt holes visible. The bird is bent over looking down at the ground. Centred Scotland
The scrap metal sculpture of a bird disappeared from an art exhibition in Inverness

Police are investigating the suspected theft of a sculpture from an art exhibition at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness.

The figure of a bird, made of scrap metal by artist Helen Denerley, is thought to have been stolen at some point between 9 and 13 October.

It was due to be sold following the exhibition for the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival to help raise money for the Highland-based mental health charity Centred Scotland.

Police Scotland said inquiries were ongoing about the missing artwork which had an estimated value of about £850.

Centred Scotland supports people experiencing mental health difficulties across the Highlands and runs drop-in services and free guided wellbeing walks for people feeling lonely and isolated.

The charity's marketing and fundraising executive Alana Kotrys said it had been "very lucky" to get the beautiful scrap metal bird made for them by Helen Denerley who is best known for her large metal giraffes sculptures on Leith Walk in Edinburgh.

She said: "It was amazing for us to get that collaboration with such a well-known artist."

Kotrys added that they hoped the sculpture might be returned in order to help the charity.

"It would mean a lot to us to get it back, to be able to do with it what was intended, to raise some money to make a difference to people's lives," she said.

Richard West Shiny scrap metal giraffe sculptures are standing tall next to a building with large glass panels. Children and passers-by are gathered aroundRichard West
Artist Helen Denerley is best known for her giraffe sculptures in Edinburgh