Artist places free clothes in shops as part of his "shopputting" project
Artist Paul Conneally has designed special labels for his shopputting anitcs. © the artist
Shoppers browsing the shelves in chain-stores across the Midlands have been getting more than they bargained for, as they discover items left by an artist who says he is “shopputting” – the opposite of shoplifting.
Loughborough-based Paul Conneally has been placing clothes, shoes and other goods with labels attached to them informing the customer that they aren’t for sale, but can simply be taken.
He has been stopped by security four times and police have been called twice during the latest stage of his project, which has taken him to Topshop stores across the region. But after explaining that it is not against the law to place goods in a shop without permission, the artist has been let off each time.
Writing on his Blog (http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/581091) on the Artists Newsletter website, Conneally explained that shopputting is "another word for giving".
He also gave an example of a happy customer in Derby: "One teenager stopped as she took a pair of Shopputted labelled tracky bottoms out of the shop - she appeared to show the security man the label and he chatted on his radio and sent her on her way - both were laughing - that's good - hope they fit her."
Conneally's Topshop project will continue until the end of November 2009.
Find more artist's blogs and information for artists on the an website.
