Canvas art criminal going straight
Published on: 31-Jul-2007
One of Britain's most notorious canvas art painters is back at work - after being jailed just ten months ago for a series of audacious fakes that stunned and embarrassed the UK art scene.Robert Thwaites, now 55, was jailed for two years for his mock-up canvas art depictions of work by 19th Century artist John Anster Fitzgerald. Thwaites' work looked so authentic that one piece was sold to gallery owner and Antiques Roadshow expert Rupert Maas for £20,000, while, incredibly, a second piece then went on to fetch more than £100,000 at auction.
Mr Maas was so impressed by the mock-up, however, that he has opted to keep it regardless of its bogus origins and, back at home but having to wear an electronic ankle tag, Thwaites is now looking to carve a canvas art career in his own name, reports the Guardian.
"It wasn't a disaster. It was a risk I took and I was pragmatic enough to realise it could all go wrong and that if it did go wrong I would be punished," he told the paper.
"Just because I got caught doesn't mean I failed. I procured for my son the best education money can buy.
"I deserved it. I wouldn't do it again but if I can use the notoriety, why not? I love to paint... And I am very good."
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