`Love’ artist Robert Indiana arrested on charges of using male prostitutes

VINALHAVEN — “Love” artist Robert Indiana, 61, was arrested Thursday on charges that he engaged the services of male prostitutes. The famous artist was booked at Knox County Jail in Rockland on the Class D crime and later was released on $300 unsecured bail.

Sheriff Daniel Davey announced the arrest Friday. He said it was the result of an extensive investigation by Detective Ernest McIntosh, a former deputy sheriff assigned to Vinalhaven.

An affidavit filed in 6th District Court to obtain a warrant to search the artist’s island home contained the results of interviews with two males who outlined long relationships with Indiana dating back several years when they were youths of 11 and 13.

The affidavit quoted the men as having been paid money by Indiana for sexual favors. The artist also paid the young men money to draw pictures of their genitals, according to the affidavit.

The search warrant resulted in the seizure of a portfolio containing eight finished drawings of male genitals, and one unfinished drawing. Also seized were 21 Picasso prints, court records revealed.

The affidavit from McIntosh graphically detailed Indiana’s sexual involvement with the youths. Attempts Friday to reach Indiana for comment were unsuccessful. A telephone number under his real name of Robert Earl Clark was unlisted.

Jean Chalmers, his Rockland attorney, was reported to be out of town.

Davey said the crime Indiana is accused of is a misdemeanor. However, other charges may be brought, Davey said. Indiana is to appear in court Oct. 3.

Indiana first came to Vinalhaven in 1969. He subsequently purchased the Star of Hope Odd Fellows Lodge on Main Street, which is now his home.

In 1983, he became involved in a local controversy over the renovation of the lodge, which had been listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. The renovation project was subsequently completed with Indiana using it as his permanent residence.

Indiana gained national acclaim for his “love” logo in the 1970s. In 1982, he had an exhibition at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland when he donated the entire edition of his newest serigraph, “Decade Autoportrait 1969,” to benefit the museum.