OLYMPIA, Wash. — Eugene artist Jud Turner says it was an uncomfortable compliment to have his sculpture stolen from an Olympia gallery.

He said it was slightly flattering and slightly alarming to have his piece taken from the Matter Gallery.

Gallery owner Jo Gallaugher told The Olympian the thieves apparently targeted Turner’s “Tribute to the concussed skier,” a death’s head in the middle of radiating snow skis, valued at $800.

Gallaugher says she has more valuable art, but thieves broke through a skylight and rappelled 18 feet to take that and “Horizons II” by Jerry Williamson of Olympia, valued at $600. She says the sculptures are most often admired by men in their 20s.