A unique piece of art has been reported missing from Portland's waterfront: a six-foot-tall cat statue from "Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail," according to information obtained by KPTV. The statue, part of an installation of 30 sculptures designed to celebrate the whimsy of the city and support Doernbecher Children’s Hospital through an auction, vanished between last Friday night and yesterday morning near the bustling Saturday Market.
The stolen art piece is known locally as "Keep Portland Weird," and was designed by artist Celeste Potgieter, whose works were displayed along Tom McCall Waterfront Park as part of a creative joining of forces between local entities and LAIKA animation studios, the same authorities confirmed the theft. While they have come together to create something for the public and charity, the unexpected incident has shadowed the project, illustrating the fragile thread between philanthropy and the unpredictable elements of public art exhibitions. The Portland Metro Chamber, alongside Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, shared these details in statements captured by KOIN 6 News.
The statues, attracting thousands since their debut, feature characters from the Oscar-nominated film "Coraline," and were destined for auction on October 30, with proceeds benefiting the children's hospital. With the theft of the "Keep Portland Weird" cat, one wonders not only about the potential financial loss for the hospital but also about the impact on Portland’s cultural landscape, according to KOIN 6 News.
"It's not cool stealing, period. And especially if it affects others," Celeste Potgieter expressed in a despondent tone to KOIN 6 News, hoping for the return of her work, her statement both a plea and a call for communal respect which echoes in the space left behind by the sculpture's absence. Despite the setback, Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail will remain open until October 13, as detailed by KATU News in a report found here.
