Victorian artist Graham Johns appeals for Ned Kelly statue stolen from Eaglehawk Recycle Shop to be returned

He doesn't sell his artworks. But someone seems to have taken one for themselves.

Mr Johns, of Marong near Bendigo, is appealing for his one-of-a-kind wooden sculpture of Ned Kelly to be returned after it was taken from the Eaglehawk Recycle Shop.

He said he went to the shop on Monday to retrieve his artworks, which were on display, only to find one was missing.

“It was not for sale,” he said.

Mr Johns said the Ned Kelly statue was unique.

Recycled materials are his preferred medium, and for that reason, his artworks are difficult to replicate.

He said the octagonal base of the statue was also a distinguishing feature.

Mr Johns is self-taught and has been dabbling in art for about four years.

He is a bricklayer by trade, but has been his wife’s primary carer since she was injured in a car crash.

Mr Johns was aware people were interested in buying his artworks, including a poppet head made of icy pole and kebab sticks and sculptures of major Australian landmarks.

“But I don’t want to sell them,” he said.

“I make them and I display them.”

The Ned Kelly sculpture was to be one of more than a dozen entries by Mr Johns in the Corop Junk Art Exhibition.

Police are investigating the theft and have asked anyone with information to call the Bendigo Police Station on 5448 1300.