This “childish joke,” as multimedia artist and actor André Heller called it, could have attracted attention. The 76-year-old was under investigation for serious fraud. As reported, Heller had sold a self-made photo frame as a real work of the famous American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988). However, the investigation has recently ended.
“The extensive investigation has shown that the defendant had already bought back the frame before law enforcement authorities received a related complaint, fully amortizing the damage caused,” said the Vienna prosecutor’s office. This means that all requirements for “active remorse” have been met and therefore the preliminary investigation into suspicion of serious fraud had to be discontinued.
The “Falter” revealed last fall that Heller made a frame based on a cut-out drawing of Basquiat holding a broomstick and nails. This frame, believed to have been created by Basquiat in 1987, sold for millions at New York’s TEFAF art fair, along with a real portrait of the artist titled “Untitled”. Heller later spoke of a “childish joke”.
Bought back before ad counterfeiting
A buyer in New York was not found at the time. Nevertheless, the Basquiat-Heller combination soon changed hands. Viennese artist manager Amir Shariat initially only bought the real drawing for a client, with the frame going back to Heller – until the client bought the fake frame in 2018. However, Heller bought back the frame before the ad was later released. His lawyer Thomas Höhne had denied the intention to defraud in the autumn. The frame was sold as a frame with drawings by Basquiat on it.
Source: Krone
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