Stolen Banksy, Damien Hirst Works Recovered Two Years in Poland

More than two years after eleven artworks were stolen in a burglary in Poland, the works have been recovered, according to Polish international news network TVP World.

At a value of more than $186,600, the stolen collection includes 10 paintings and one photograph by such notable artists as Damien Hirst, Banksy, and Takashi Murakami.

The theft took place between March 24-255, 2022, in the southeastern Polish city Przemyśl. The works were in the process of being moved from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv to Switzerland.

There was a break in the case on December 9, which lead to the recovery of the stolen contemporary works. The authenticity was subsequently confirmed by foreign experts, Malgorzata Taciuch-Kurasiewicz from the District Prosecutor’s Office in Przemyśl told Polish state news agency PAP.

The recovery was possible due to joint efforts between the District Prosecutor’s Office in Przemyśl and officers of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Rzeszów, along with representatives from the company that owns the works.

Though the works are now in safe keeping, the investigation is still ongoing.