Art

A lakeside oasis for art and entertaining – The Globe and Mail

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2022

Harry Miller

The listing: Suite 3901, 2045 Lakeshore Blvd. W., Toronto

Asking Price: $4,700,000

Taxes: $13,106.23 (2021)

Monthly maintenance fee: $6,629.40

Agents: Paul Maranger and Christian Vermast, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

The backstory

One evening in 1996, entrepreneur and philanthropist Salah Bachir left his home in downtown Toronto and drove along the waterfront to the Palace Pier. Mr. Bachir arrived a little early for a dinner party and didn’t want to disturb his host, so he decided to take a walk along the shore of Lake Ontario.

Before the evening was over, Mr. Bachir was contemplating a move west to the landmark tower with windows of brown glass. He was drawn to the lakeside tranquility and the five-star amenities of the complex, which sits on nine acres of grounds.

“I play tennis and there was a tennis court,” he says. “It’s like a beautiful resort on its own.”

Mr. Bachir purchased suite 3901, with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a vantage point high above Humber Bay and the sailboats moored nearby.

“I moved out of downtown so I could get a dog and walk it along the waterfront,” he says.

Looking back, Mr. Bachir believes his decision was subtly influenced by his childhood in Lebanon, where many homes overlook the Mediterranean Sea. His family emigrated from that country to Canada in 1965, when Mr. Bachir was 10.

As a young man, Mr. Bachir began supporting his artist friends by purchasing their works. He went on to become president of Cineplex Media and chancellor of OCAD University. Through the years, he became an esteemed patron of the arts. His private collection of works by Andy Warhol is one of the world’s largest.

In 2017, OCAD University awarded Mr. Bachir an honourary doctorate in recognition of his contribution to Canadian culture and his fundraising in support of health care and the LGBTQ+ community.

At Palace Pier, Mr. Bachir used the space to display his vast collection of paintings, photographs and antiquities – against the backdrop of a relaxing home.

The two living rooms are joined by a contemporary staircase.

“I’ve always wanted comfort in our places,” he says. “I didn’t want a place where you couldn’t sit and watch a football game.”

Soon Mr. Bachir’s mother and siblings were moving into Palace Pier as well.

“We’re a family of five kids and four were in the building, he says. “At one time we had nine units in the building.”

In 2005, Mr. Bachir learned that the neighbours one floor above were planning to sell. He purchased that unit as well and often used the added space to accommodate young relatives, refugee families and immigrants launching new lives in Canada.

“A friend of mine call the whole experience a ‘Lebanese Knots Landing,” he says, laughing at the reference to the 1980s TV drama.

By 2011, Mr. Bachir and his husband, artist Jacob Yerex, envisioned joining the two suites with a connecting staircase.

They hired Kohn Shnier architects to come up with a design that would overcome the hurdles of logistics and condo bylaws.

The suite has two kitchens and two dining rooms.Handout

The house today

After about one year of planning and construction, Mr. Bachir and Mr. Yerex had created a 6,470-square-foot suite.

The two living rooms were joined by a contemporary staircase manufactured in bent steel plate with open risers and mahogany treads.

There were few changes to the identical layouts of the two units, which combined to create a suite with six bedrooms, two kitchens and two dining rooms.

The couple’s daughter spent lots of time in the expanded space, and Mr. Yerex turned one of the bedrooms into a studio.

“It was perfect – I could fill up the walls with art,” says Mr. Bachir, who adds that he has always preferred to arrange the pieces in salon style. “It’s a collection – I do want it to be a feast for the eyes.”

Mr. Bachir kept the existing floors in some rooms and had new marble and granite floor tiles laid in others.

On the lower level, the couple took out a separate breakfast area to create a dining room large enough to accommodate 14 for dinner.

Many times, Mr. Bachir says, his mother took over the kitchen to teach people how to cook Lebanese dishes.

Film director Deepa Mehta, author Salman Rushdie, actor Kim Cattrall and many other luminaries have joined the soirées put together by Mr. Bachir and Mr. Yerex.

Over time, the couple renovated some of the bathrooms and improved their accessibility. Upstairs, they added a walk-in steam shower with two benches.

Mr. Bachir used the space to display his vast collection of paintings, photographs and antiquities.Handout

For several years, Mr. Bachir was a kidney dialysis patient. He turned part of the upper level into an area where he could receive treatment at home and continue to work. The couple went on to help build the Bachir Yerex Dialysis Centre at St. Joseph’s Health Centre.

These days Mr. Bachir and Mr. Yerex are spending more time at their country house in Paris, Ont. As they prepare to leave Toronto, Mr. Bachir imagines the couple’s expansive condo would make a comfortable space for a family – especially one that enjoys entertaining or has multiple generations living together. A couple can also have two home offices, he adds.

Palace Pier provides a fitness centre, year-round swimming pool, golf putting green, valet parking and a restaurant on site. The grounds include barbecue areas for outside gatherings, gardens and walking trails.

The best feature

Mr. Bachir says the vistas from the suite’s large windows are ever changing. He sometimes stands at the window and stares as he takes in the lightning flashing in the distance, snowstorms rolling in from across the lake or mist covering the water.

“It’s like being on the Mediterranean,” he says. “The view works with the art.”

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Art

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

Published

1 day ago

September 13, 2024

Harry Miller

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.

Art

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

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2024

Harry Miller

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

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Art

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

Published

4 weeks ago

August 18, 2024

Harry Miller

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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