Mother appeals for help to find missing artist

5:45pm Monday 12th May 2008

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The distraught mother of a Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) worker who went missing day before he was due to open an exhibition on his life in Battersea has postponed going back to Brazil to help look for her son.

Artist Vado Mesquita was last seen in the Clapham Junction area around 6pm on Wednesday, May 7, after leaving his house in Spencer Road.

Mr Mesquita, 48, has lived in Battersea for 30 years, and was due to open his exhibition at the BAC on Thursday.

His mother had flown from Brazil especially to see it.

Regina Cardoso Franco, 75, said her son was due to return to his native homeland after the exhibition.

She said: "I'm so worried. I haven't left the house because I'm waiting for him to call or to arrive home.

"I spoke to him all the time while I was in Brazil, he was happy and excited about moving back to Sao Paulo.

"I try not to imagine bad things have happened to him but it is difficult, I only want him to come back. "Anyone with information should help and please contact the police."

Chico Pelucio came from Brazil to help his friend with his exhibition. He said his disappearance was totally out of character.

"Everyone is so worried and emotional, his mother is hardly sleeping," he said. "Anything could have happened to him, we just don't know.

"I think he may have had an accident and ended up in hospital. For him not to have not contacted anyone is wrong.

"He was a normal, happy person. He's not crazy, he didn't even drink."

A spokesman for BAC said: "Vado has been working here for five years in various roles.

"We think he was making his way back here to work on the exhibition when he went missing."

"He has been working incredibly hard on it but he was excited about it opening. He was gearing himself up for that, he had even invited all his friends down to see it."

Mr Mesquita is of medium height and slight build, and has a prominent Brazilian accent.

Mr Mesquita was last seen carrying a large, one-shouldered, red bag.

Police are aware of his disappearance.

If you think you have seen Mr Mesquita call Missing Persons on 020 8649 3560.