A Northland sculpture artist is pleading for the return of her beloved bronze Buddha girl statue — no questions asked — that was stolen. Dell Pryor runs the Quarry Arts Centre Cafe on Selwyn Ave in Whangārei where the statue had been sitting and meditating for seven years until it was stolen about two weeks ago.
"I made it on Waiheke Island where I lived about 10 years ago. I wanted to do a very happy, chubby, little Buddha-type figure who's meditating. Most of my female figures have been idolised because people love looking at them," she said.
Pryor discovered the statue was missing when she returned to work on July 1. It is 30cm high, about 25cm wide, and weighs 6kg to 7kg.
"None of the food or electronics had been taken. If those responsible for the burglary try to sell the statue, I don't know how they'd do it. It's personally valuable to me.
"I'd love to have her back — no questions asked. I feel like they saw it and took it because she was quite different, quite unique in my own belief. I am not a Buddhist though."