Competition to steal a painting worth $15k

pjfan31

Looks like a bit of fun...

Pocketing those little shampoo bottles or shower gels from your hotel room might be commonplace, but would you feel comfortable stealing a $15,000 artwork?

A hotel in Melbourne is encouraging visitors to do exactly that, on one condition: don't get caught.

The Art Series Hotel Group is offering guests the chance to steal an artwork by the elusive English graffiti artist Banksy from one of its properties.

The first person to pinch the painting without getting caught will get to keep it. But if someone catches you, then it goes back on the wall.

The artwork, signed by Banksy, is valued at $15,000 and depicts two children tossing a "No Ball Games" sign in the air.

"Although we don't normally promote stealing the hotel artwork, we're excited about the StealBanksy concept and welcoming guests with their creativity and cunning," CEO of Art Series Hotels Will Deague said.

The piece itself has a history of theft.

In 2007, bandits removed an entire section of a wall in London street, where Banksy had stencilled around a No Ball Games sign, with an angle grinder. It was later found on eBay for STG20,000 ($A30,900).

The artwork will be moved between three Art Series Hotels - The Cullen, The Olsen and The Blackman - between December 15 this year and January 15, 2012.

It can only be stolen by guests of the hotel.