[MSN] THE evidence of a woman accused of forging paintings by an Aboriginal artist has been described as "a shambles" by her lawyer, who asked how an ill 65-year-old could possibly have fooled world experts.

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Accused forger 'befuddled'
Kate Hagan 
November 2, 2007 


THE evidence of a woman accused of forging paintings by an Aboriginal artist
has been described as "a shambles" by her lawyer, who asked how an ill
65-year-old could possibly have fooled world experts.

In a closing address to the jury, defence counsel Maitland Lincoln said the
prosecution case against Pamela Liberto was based on "innuendo and
inferences". He said Liberto had lived "in a world of pain" since having
bowel surgery 12 years ago, and was taking drugs including methadone and
valium.

"There is not one jot of evidence about her being physically or mentally
able to do these paintings," Mr Lincoln said. "You saw her in the witness
box; what a shambles at times. She's fooling experts all over the world and
she can barely dress herself?"

Liberto and her husband, Ivan Liberto, 67, of Toorak, are on trial in the
County Court for allegations that they forged and sold four paintings,
supposedly by renowned Aboriginal artist Rover Thomas, to receive more than
$300,000. They are also accused of trying to sell two other paintings they
claimed were by the artist.

Mr Lincoln said experts from auction houses including Sotheby's and
Christie's accepted the paintings for sale, believing them to be genuine,
and told the court that genuine Rover Thomas works had an aura about them:
"How does a befuddled brain like this get into the depth of these
paintings?"

Mr Lincoln said there was no evidence that Liberto had gone to art school
despite Robyn Sloggett, director of Melbourne University's Centre for
Cultural Materials Conservation, telling the court: "Whoever did these works
I think knows how to paint . (and) how to modify a surface." He said two
copies of Rover Thomas works found in Liberto's home - which she admitted
painting from photographs in art catalogues - would not have fooled anyone.

"Look at it, the dots on the bottom wander around like a drunken man," he
said.

Liberto said she painted the two works on doctor's advice that it might help
her cope with stress, but insisted she believed the six Thomas works she
sold or attempted to sell were genuine. She said she inherited five of the
paintings from her father, and bought the sixth from a woman at a market.

Prosecutor Kevin Doyle said there was no doubt the six paintings were fakes
and the Libertos knew it. The case before Judge Roland Williams continues.


This story was found at:
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/01/1193619061318.html