Stolen Edna Manley sculpture returned

Karl Samuda, the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, on Tuesday presented an elated Olivia Grange, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, with the Edna Manley piece, ‘The Trees Are Joyful’, which was recovered and turned in to his ministry on Monday.

The prized sculpture was stolen from Unity House in Runaway Bay, St. Ann last week.
Mr. Samuda said after speaking with leaders in the scrap metal industry, and impressing upon them the historical and cultural importance of the work, the bronze statue was tracked down.

"I used every ounce of effort and influence I had among the leadership of the industry, and I said to them, I want this statue back…I want you to go from one end of the island to the next, in search of it, from among your membership and from those renegade dealers," he  explained.

"To my surprise, by the end of the day, it was returned to this Ministry," Mr. Samuda said.

Miss Grange expressed her gratitude to Mr. Samuda but also condemned the theft of the piece.

"It only shows the ignorance of some people, where they really do not know that they are destroying things that mean so much to the country," she said.
 Miss Grange said the incident has served as a signal for her to move quickly to have the Jamaica National Heritage Trust Act amended to protect the island’s cultural treasures.
Outlining the proposed amendments, she explained that anyone who discovers objects with heritage significance will be required to notify the Trust as soon as practicable.

The Trust will be required to authenticate these objects, and issue certificates of authenticity to the owners.
Meanwhile, Mr. Samuda noted that while the incidents of theft of metals continue, they have been reduced significantly since the trade was overhauled and measures put in place to crack down on rogue dealers/traders.