Friday, May 24, 2013
The Associated Press
ROCKLAND — An art buyer from Monaco has filed a lawsuit against Pop artist Robert Indiana, the sculptor known for his "LOVE" works.
One of Robert Indiana's LOVE sculptures in New York City.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Joao Tovar filed the lawsuit against Indiana last week in Maine's Knox County Superior Court, claiming Indiana's actions made Tovar's investment in what he thought were the artist's works worthless.
Indiana lives in the Maine town of Vinalhaven. His sculptures feature the L above the V and an off-kilter O above the E.
Tovar alleges in his suit that he purchased versions of those sculptures with the word "Prem" — Hindi for love — that he thought were created by Indiana and were worth $1.5 million.
When Indiana said he did not create them, the suit says the sculptures were made worthless. The Bangor Daily News reports that Tovar is seeking damages.
Tovar claimed he received a signed certificate of authenticity issued by Indiana that stated “for Tovar.” Indiana, however, claimed that signature was simply done as a souvenir for Tovar.
According to the Daily News, Tovar lost a federal lawsuit alleging the same issues in November in U.S. District Court in southern New York state when the judge said she did not have jurisdiction in the case.
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