Blackwell Courtesy CrimeStoppers   Taylor Courtesy CrimeStoppers

The theft was discovered during a June inventory and police today released a bulletin seeking public assistance in locating two former Island Art Galleries employees, Francis X. Blackwell Jr. and Ann W. Taylor, who are wanted for questioning about the missing artwork.

Blackwell, 59, has been in the employ of Island Art Galleries owner Jeff Liu for four years ago and was director of the Aloha Tower Marketplace gallery while Taylor, 58, was a part-time consultant. Liu last saw Blackwell in the first week of June and has not seen Taylor since the end of June but talked to her in early July on a cell phone.

"I'm totally shocked," Liu said of the theft.

"Blue Hair Wahine" and "Beloved" are among the missing original oil paintings by Zhou Ling. They are valued at $16,000 and $13,800, respectively.

Another missing Zhou Ling original oil is "Nature Offering," which is worth $4,500.

Liu said the missing artwork also includes "Preparing the Corn," an original oil painting by Zhenguo or Z.G. Tongworth $9,500; the limited edition prints "Hawaiian Coast" by Anthony Casay ($1,800) and "HMS Discovery of Puna" by Herb Kane ($1,500); Dana Queen's original oil painting "Essence of Hawaii" valued at $1,800, and "Mahi Fish," a bronze sculpture by Wirth ($1,600).