NT Police have launched an investigation after thousands of dollars’ worth of paintings were stolen from outside an art gallery in a remote Central Australian community.

Police are seeking public assistance to locate four paintings that were taken at 1pm last Friday after being purchased at the Arlpwe Art and Culture Centre in Ali Curung, an Aboriginal community 400 kilometres north of Alice Springs.

Two of the paintings were by Maria Dickenson, consisting of a series of predominantly white dots on a black background with coloured lines and shapes.

Two further paintings, one by Warrick Miller and one by Sonya Murphy, were also taken, police said.

Police said they were working closely with the victim and art gallery to locate the paintings and return them to the rightful owner.

They have urged anyone with information on the paintings’ whereabouts to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.