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NBA, Bleacher Report Launch Art Series To Celebrate League’s 75th Anniversary – Forbes

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3 years ago

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Throughout the past 75 years, the NBA has transcended the hardcourt, crossing over into fashion, music, art, politics, lifestyle and pop culture.

In an effort to not only celebrate the league’s anniversary but also further its involvement in the art world, the NBA and Bleacher Report teamed up with five artists across a variety of disciplines and mediums to create a one-of-its-kind collaboration.

NBA 75: Artist Series features original 1-of-1 works of art, 75 exclusive artist editions and an apparel collection designed by Frank Miller, Sue Tsai, Greg Yuna, Bandulu and Hank Willis Thomas.

“Basketball has become more than just the on-court product—it melds fashion, art and lifestyle elements, and bringing that to the forefront and having artists celebrate some of our past logos, teams and designs in these different ways is representative of where we see the league at this point,” says Adrienne O’Keeffe, NBA associate vice-president of global partnerships and media. “It’s looking back on the past 75 years but also looking forward to what lies ahead, and we thought this really captured that intersection.”

Known for his gritty noir aesthetic across comics, novels and films, Miller made three pencil-and-ink illustrations reimagining the logos of the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors. Thomas, a conceptual artist whose themes relate to perspective, identity, commodity, media and popular culture, made a large-scale quilted NBA logo from a collection of team jerseys. Tsai, a visual artist whose bold-yet-feminine aesthetic crosses into art, fashion and pop culture, created four paintings celebrating the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Lakers.

Prominent luxury jeweler Yuna made three pendants encrusted with precious gems of the Knicks, Lakers and 75th anniversary NBA logos featuring more than 1,200 precious gems, including 500 diamonds. Bandulu, the label founded by artist Pat Peltier known for transforming vintage clothing and sportswear into one-of-a-kind garments through custom embroidery, made three hand-embroidered tapestries honoring the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and Celtics.

“For me it was an amazing opportunity because I am a huge fan of basketball because it was my bonding thing with my family growing up,” Tsai says. “My art and brand crosses over into basketball a lot, so it was the perfect opportunity to actually use NBA IP and their amazing history and fuse all of that into my artistic style while working creatively alongside some other amazing artists as well.”

To complement each 1-of-1 original artwork, each artist created 75 artist editions, including numbered and hand signed giclee prints, embroidered patches, pigment prints on aluminum and printed blankets of quilt. The apparel collection, available online starting today, includes long and short sleeve T-shirts, hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, embroidered bomber jackets and sweatpants.

For Bleacher Report, NBA 75: Artist Series is another significant collaboration with the league, following successful e-commerce collaborations and collections including Space Jam, Allen Iverson World Tour, NBA Remix and Homecoming. Bleacher Report has been collaborating with the NBA on merchandise since 2019 and became an official licensee last year.

“In large part because we’re a media company, people don’t come to Bleacher Report and expect to see products, never mind be sold products,” says Jake Cohen, Bleacher Report senior director of e-commerce. “So we want to make sure everything we do, specifically these larger collaborations and collections, tells a story, so it’s not just, ‘Hey, we’re Bleacher Report, buy some products from us.’

“It’s really important for us to be the storytellers ourselves and collaborate with all the artists. We get very involved in the creative process and it’s really important for all of our work to stand apart. We want it to stand on its own and tell a story, and of course the products need to look great.”

For the NBA, the collection further expands its presence in the art world following the league’s exhibition at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019 which featured never-before-seen memorabilia and video installations among the immersive experience.

“We are always trying to push the boundary and find new ways for fans to engage with the league,” O’Keeffe says. “We don’t just want to stay in one lane and dive deep, we want to make sure we’re engaging with fans in as many ways as possible. What we’ve seen from our fan base is that they have an appreciation for art and we felt we would meet them and provide this product to them in a way that would be engaging and celebrate the 75th year of the league.”

Artwork details/tombstones

Frank Miller

Boston Celtics

Pencil and ink on art paper

11” x 17”

Los Angeles Lakers

Pencil and ink on art paper

11” x 17”

Toronto Raptors

Pencil and ink on art paper

11” x 17”

Hank Willis Thomas

Untitled 

Basketball jerseys and mixed media

2’ x 4’

Greg Yuna

Diamond NBA 75th Anniversary

Pendant of gold, white diamonds, blue sapphires and rubies; 23 grams, 3.5 carats 

  • Gold, 23 grams
  • White diamonds, 135 pieces, 0.9 carats
  • Blue sapphires, 160 pieces, 1.2 carats
  • Rubies, 203 pieces, 1.4 carats

Statement: This piece was created to honor the 75th anniversary of the NBA, and the design started with the logo. We wanted to bring the logo into our world. Greg and the design team began to plot out how the piece would be created and the way the stone layout would work the best. We kept this one super classic and true to the logo. The precious stones consisted of white diamonds, blue sapphires and rubies. The rubies and sapphires were carefully picked to match the tones of the color used in the logo. The piece features 498 individually hand set stones totaling 3.5 carats and is made of solid 14kt white gold.

Diamond Los Angeles Lakers

Pendant of gold, orange sapphires, amethysts and diamonds; 19 grams, 2.46 carats

  • Gold, 19 grams
  • Orange sapphires, 64 pieces, 0.5 carats
  • Amethysts, 163 pieces, 1.2 carats
  • Green diamonds, 81 pieces, 0.54 carats
  • Black diamonds, 18 pieces 0.2 carats
  • White diamonds, 6 pieces, 0.02 carats

Statement: The Diamond LA Lakers piece was about incorporating an element of LA into the famed logo. We decided to remix the classic logo by incorporating a palm tree, a symbol that has grown to be synonymous with the west coast. The edges of the piece feature polished edges to contrast with the luminous stones and bring the shape to life. The piece includes 332 handset stones ranging from colored diamonds, amethyst and sapphires.

Diamond New York Knicks

Pendant of gold, diamonds and sapphires; 36 grams , 3.29 carats

  • Gold, 36 grams
  • Black diamonds, 110 pieces, 0.75 carats
  • Blue diamonds, 59 pieces, 0.45 carats
  • Yellow diamonds, 58 pieces, 0.42 carats
  • Red diamonds, 51 pieces, 0.4 carats
  • Blue sapphires, 74 pieces, 0.52 carats
  • Red sapphires, 59 pieces, 0.4 carats
  • Orange sapphires, 42 pieces, 0.35 carats

Statement: The Diamond NY Knicks was inspired by New York City itself. The color palette, look and feel of the piece came from the sunset over the NYC skyline. There is something special to be said about a summer sunset in the city and bringing that twist to the Knicks logo. Within the basketball a nod to the NYC skyline is depicted with gradient stones to bring to life the sunset behind the shapes of the city. The piece includes 453 stones totaling 3.29 carats of diamonds and sapphires.

Sue Tsai

Los Angeles Lakers

Acrylic on canvas

30” x 30”

Statement: Sue Tsai reimagines the Lakers logo embellishing it with a floral basketball hoop. The artwork showcases the tropical botanics of Los Angeles and glamour of the city by adorning the net with crystal drops. A crystal “75” dangles to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the NBA.

New York Knicks

Acrylic on canvas

30” x 30”

Statement: Inspired by the “concrete jungle”, Sue turns the iconic Knicks’ secondary basketball logo into her signature flower bomb. The Rafflesia jungle flower bomb represents the power and explosiveness of the game while paying a small homage to the 88-89 Knicks “Bomb Squad”. At the root is a stem mimicking a NY street sign and leaves sprouting the 7th ave and 33rd street intersection of Madison Square Garden. A concrete block NY shows the strength of the city while wall stickers pay homage to the 75 years of the NBA. A young fan waters the Knicks flower helping it to blossom and reminds us that growth has no off-season.

Chicago Bulls

Acrylic on canvas

30” x 30”

Brooklyn Nets

Acrylic on canvas

30” x 30”

Bandulu

Boston Celtics

Single needle hand embroidery on heavy weight canvas

17” x 22”

Hand-framed in studio  

Philadelphia 76ers

Single needle hand embroidery on heavy weight canvas

18” x 23”

Hand-framed in studio  

Miami Heat

Single needle hand embroidery on heavy weight canvas

17” x 23”

Hand-framed in studio

Statement: Bandulu celebrates the 75th anniversary of the NBA through three East Coast teams that connect authentically to the Bandulu values and community: the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat. Being born in New England, being inspired by the heritage of Philly’s iconic city and players, and fueled by the artistic community in Miami, Bandulu sought to tell a narrative that uplifts the East Coast. Each piece took over eight hours of meticulous hand embroidery to create a visual extension of these iconic teams’ logos. Each team has a compositional twist to the way the logo comes to life through pictorial abstractions.

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Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork

Published

4 days ago

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September 13, 2024

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In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vancouver Island art community, a local art dealer has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. Calvin Lucyshyn, the former operator of the now-closed Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay, faces the charge after police seized hundreds of artworks, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from various storage sites in the Greater Victoria area.

Alleged Fraud Scheme

Police allege that Lucyshyn had been taking valuable art from members of the public under the guise of appraising or consigning the pieces for sale, only to cut off all communication with the owners. This investigation began in April 2022, when police received a complaint from an individual who had provided four paintings to Lucyshyn, including three works by renowned British Columbia artist Emily Carr, and had not received any updates on their sale.

Further investigation by the Saanich Police Department revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Detectives found other alleged victims who had similar experiences with Winchester Galleries, leading police to execute search warrants at three separate storage locations across Greater Victoria.

Massive Seizure of Artworks

In what has become one of the largest art fraud investigations in recent Canadian history, authorities seized approximately 1,100 pieces of art, including more than 600 pieces from a storage site in Saanich, over 300 in Langford, and more than 100 in Oak Bay. Some of the more valuable pieces, according to police, were estimated to be worth $85,000 each.

Lucyshyn was arrested on April 21, 2022, but was later released from custody. In May 2024, a fraud charge was formally laid against him.

Artwork Returned, but Some Remain Unclaimed

In a statement released on Monday, the Saanich Police Department confirmed that 1,050 of the seized artworks have been returned to their rightful owners. However, several pieces remain unclaimed, and police continue their efforts to track down the owners of these works.

Court Proceedings Ongoing

The criminal charge against Lucyshyn has not yet been tested in court, and he has publicly stated his intention to defend himself against any pending allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2024.

Impact on the Local Art Community

The news of Lucyshyn’s alleged fraud has deeply affected Vancouver Island’s art community, particularly collectors, galleries, and artists who may have been impacted by the gallery’s operations. With high-value pieces from artists like Emily Carr involved, the case underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist in art transactions.

For many art collectors, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for fraud in the art world, particularly when it comes to dealing with private galleries and dealers. The seizure of such a vast collection of artworks has also led to questions about the management and oversight of valuable art pieces, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in the industry.

As the case continues to unfold in court, it will likely serve as a cautionary tale for collectors and galleries alike, highlighting the need for due diligence in the sale and appraisal of high-value artworks.

While much of the seized artwork has been returned, the full scale of the alleged fraud is still being unraveled. Lucyshyn’s upcoming court appearances will be closely watched, not only by the legal community but also by the wider art world, as it navigates the fallout from one of Canada’s most significant art fraud cases in recent memory.

Art collectors and individuals who believe they may have been affected by this case are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Department to inquire about any unclaimed pieces. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder for anyone involved in high-value art transactions to work with reputable dealers and to keep thorough documentation of all transactions.

As with any investment, whether in art or other ventures, it is crucial to be cautious and informed. Art fraud can devastate personal collections and finances, but by taking steps to verify authenticity, provenance, and the reputation of dealers, collectors can help safeguard their valuable pieces.

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

Published

2 weeks ago

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September 2, 2024

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone  BBC.com

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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

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1 month ago

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August 18, 2024

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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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