Well, you know with art value isn't always apparent. Why they were painted like that, I don't know either, but that's probably part of the display. Why they were sitting there in reach of people is beyond me too, but they did say this was part of the first season for this art gallery and they are trying to bring people in by having significant displays.
It is sort of like the time I went to a car show and there was a very special Ferrari on display, just out in the open too. It came with its own security guard... It was Phil Hill's personal car and one of only a few of these left in the world. I was talking to the guard and he said at the time, the car was worth $9 million! That price tag AND owned and raced by Phil Hill...sitting right there in front of me
As I'm taking pictures, some idiot lady walks up and opens the trunk....the guard politely tells her "That's not a good idea; please don't touch the car." A similar car to that recently sold for over $30 million and I think Phil's is likely worth more than that then because of its history.
*Found pic