Marilyn Monroe has stolen many hearts over the years, but last Friday someone stole Marilyn, or at least a mural of the sultry actress, from the outside wall of a downtown restaurant.

The mural of Marilyn, clad only in silk bedsheets and cracking an egg into a glass, had been there just a few months, said John Watson, general manager of Floyd’s Diner, 866 Yates St.

article continues below

Local artist Paul Archer painted the mural on plywood for $3,200. It was mounted on two-by-four frames, which were left behind.

“Usually when you rip off a piece of plywood, you’d see little bits of wood here and there,” Watson said.

“But all the screws were intact — it wasn’t vandalism.”

The motive for the theft is unclear. Some people loved the mural, while others felt uncomfortable with partial nudity, Watson said.

Archer said he has been flooded with calls since the theft.

The mural was stolen because someone either loved it or hated it, Archer said. Either way, he’s getting a lot of welcome publicity about his murals, which opens up avenues for future jobs.

He’s tempted to respond to the theft with an even racier image of Monroe, “because you’re talking about an artist and somebody stealing their masterpiece fromdowntown.”

He said he’s fighting for his right to express himself in a public space in downtown Victoria.

The theft is his second step into the public eye in less than a week. He has been in Prince George doing a five-by-11-metre mural for the airport. On Friday, he and his partner chose to work in pyjama bottoms as a way to beat the heat.

“The newspaper came by and took our picture and we were on the front page in our pyjamas,” Archer said.

Victoria police are investigating the theft of the mural. Anyone with information can reach them at 250-995-4321.

smcculloch@timescolonist.com