Two sculptures by renowned French contemporary artist Richard Orlinski have been damaged in Saint-Raphaël, France, during a major public art exhibition running through September 21. The damaged pieces include a yellow shark sculpture at Veillat and an elephant sculpture at the old port, which had its tusk broken and has since been removed from display.
Richard Orlinski, one of France's most prominent contemporary artists, was present in Saint-Raphaël on July 8, 2025, for the inauguration of the exhibition dedicated to his work. The city-sponsored show features several pieces from his iconic bestiary collection displayed in various locations throughout the downtown area. The exhibition has generated mixed reactions from the public, much like Orlinski's art itself, which some consider simplistic while others find it powerful and compelling.
During the inauguration ceremony, the topic of vandalism that had been discovered about ten days earlier on two of the artworks was not extensively discussed. However, the municipal government had already addressed the issue publicly through social media channels. "Two of these sculptures have been damaged by irresponsible individuals," read a statement on the city's Facebook page posted on June 27. "This is an unacceptable act that attacks not only works of art but also a strong cultural initiative supported by the City."
City officials emphasized that all artworks in the exhibition are under permanent video surveillance to prevent such incidents. The municipality stressed its commitment to protecting the cultural assets and ensuring the safety of the public art display. However, the investigation into the damages has revealed surprising findings that challenge initial assumptions about intentional vandalism.
According to a source within the National Police, who are handling the investigation, analysis of the surveillance footage appears to support the theory that the damage was unintentional rather than deliberate vandalism. While no individuals have been identified as responsible for the damage, the police source indicated that "the quality of the plastic used seems to be partly to blame" for the sculptures' vulnerability to damage.
This revelation suggests that the sculptures may have been damaged accidentally, possibly due to material defects or quality issues with the plastic components used in their construction. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the damage and whether additional protective measures need to be implemented for the remaining sculptures in the exhibition.
