Damage to Orlinski sculptures in Saint-Raphaël: what video surveillance reveals

On July 8, 2025, Richard Orlinski (one of France's most prominent contemporary artists) was in Saint-Raphaël for the opening of the town's exhibition dedicated to him . Until September 21, several works from his iconic bestiary are on display in public spaces throughout the town center.

An exhibition that leaves no one indifferent, like Orlinski's art (simplistic for some and powerful for others). At the inauguration, the subject of the damage noted ten days earlier on two works had not been particularly commented on.

However, the yellow shark of Veillat had received impacts and the elephant of the old port had a broken tusk (the sculpture has since been removed).

Images from the cameras used

"Two of these sculptures were damaged by irresponsible individuals, " the town's Facebook page read on June 27. "An unacceptable act, which attacks not only works of art, but also a strong cultural initiative supported by the town."

The municipality specified that "all the works are under permanent video surveillance." According to a source contacted by Var-matin within the National Police (responsible for the investigation), the use of the images seems to support the theory of involuntary damage.

Although no one has been identified, "the quality of the plastic used seems partly to be the cause," according to the same police source.