The press of Heather & Ivan Morison

Publication:
Birmingham Evening Mail, September 2000

Headline:
"Elvis has left the garden! Artist all shook up after model stolen"

Picture:
Of Elvis Presley

Caption:
"Ivan Morison with his fruit and veg stall on St George Street."

Selected editorial:

"By Tony Collins.

ELVIS is alive and well, and probably somewhere in Birmingham.

A huge search is underway for the King ­ or at least a new ‘look alike’ which has been pinched on the eve of an exhibition in the city.

The life-size Elvis Presley scarecrow was due to feature in a magical experimental garden at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design in Margaret Street from September 7-12.

The garden, which also includes a model of the screen goddess Marilyn Monroe, was created by artist Ivan Morison as one of the highlights of a show by fine art students at the Institute.

But the clay Elvis was stolen from a garden in Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, where it was being kept prior to the start of the exhibition.

Mr Morison, who is appealing for its return, said: 'It has disappeared and one can only assume that some one has taken a shine to it and stolen the model.

We need it back in time for the show so I am offering a bag of runner beans for its safe return.'

The garden forms part of the "MA Show from the Mid-West", which will showcase the work of 15 of the next generation of artists encompassing painting, photography, sculpture and video... Anyone with information about the missing Elvis should contact Ivan on 07939 076376"