Betty Loveland with artist Bogdan Zarkowski and her free artwork entitled: ‘Black Lady with Pink Earring’. Behind them is another artwork by Bogdan entitled ‘Cryptic Triptych’.

When Warlingham resident Betty Loveland went shopping at Waitrose in Caterham recently she was surprised to find a piece of artwork taped to the shop window. On closer inspection, she saw a message saying that the finder of the artwork could keep it. Betty said: “The message said that it was part of a worldwide movement called ‘Free Art Friday’ and I wondered if it was genuine. I looked around and felt almost guilty as I took it. But it is genuine and I was thrilled. The more I look at it, the more I like it, like when I go to a gallery.” The artwork entitled ‘Black Lady with Pink Earring’ was produced by Warlingham artist Bogdan Zarkowski. Bogdan produces artwork using photographs that he has taken of torn posters on advertising billboards all over the world. As he explains on his website, expired posters.com, “The layers upon layers of partially exposed and torn posters create dynamic images.” As part of Free Art Friday, Bogdan leaves hand-signed, limited edition prints of his work in public places on Fridays for people to find and keep. After Betty found her artwork, she e-mailed Bogdan to thank him. Bogdan said: “It was lovely to receive an e-mail from Betty because she was the first recipient that I heard from. Not many people have heard of Free Art Friday so I want to encourage local artists to take part and to get together. It would be nice if more types of art were left for the public to find, like poetry.” Bogdan says that creating the works of art is his hobby. He is a designer by trade, and his work includes album covers and merchandise for many famous artists including Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Rod Stewart. Look out for more Free Art displayed around the area every Friday.