Crown jewels stolen from cathedral in Sweden

Our daily round-up of news from the art world

Crown jewels stolen from cathedral in Sweden | The BBC reports that a major manhunt is underway in Sweden following the theft of some of the country’s crown jewels at midday on Tuesday. A golden orb and two crowns dating to the early 17th century were stolen from Strängnäs Cathedral, near Stockholm; the thieves were reportedly spotted by witnesses fleeing the scene by bicycle before escaping in a speedboat along Lake Malaren. There are currently no suspects in the investigation, which Interpol has been drafted in to assist with.

Joan Jonas show at Haus der Kunst cancelled due to financial difficulties | Despite last-minute attempts to raise funds, the Haus der Kunst in Munich has been forced to cancel a Joan Jonas exhibition travelling from the Tate Modern and due to open at the German museum in November. The museum, which has cited ‘a difficult financial situation stemming from management errors of the past’, appointed a new business director, Bernhard Spies, in March but has yet to replace Okwui Enwezor, who resigned as director in June.

American Folk Art Museum names Jason T. Busch as executive director | Jason T. Busch is joining the American Folk Art Museum in New York as executive director in September. Currently director of the Jason Jacques Gallery (also in New York), Busch has previously held positions at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, and the Saint Louis Art Museums. He replaces Anne-Imelda Radice, who resigned in March with Stacy C. Hollander filling the role in the interim.

Antonio Dias (1944–2018) | The Brazilian artist Antonio Dias has died at the age of 74, reports Brazil’s G1 (Portuguese-language article). Dias worked as a draughtsman and graphic designer during his teenage years in Rio de Janeiro before moving to Europe in 1965. In his latter years Dias lived and worked between Rio and Milan; in 2015 his work was included in the Tate Modern’s exhibition of international Pop art, ‘The World Goes Pop’.