Art
In Hamilton, real estate is the new art – CBC.ca
This column is an opinion by Gavin Stephens, host of the Uncolonized podcast and a standup comedian. It is part of a special municipal election project by CBC Hamilton, featuring voices from the community. Find all our election coverage here.
I tell jokes for a living. Like, I go on stage and tell jokes. It’s a weird thing to write down on a credit card application, but it’s what I do. And I do it around the world.
I was nominated for a Juno award this year for my album, All Inclusive coma, and I have to credit part of the nom to the fact that I live in the city of Hamilton. It’s a place I find as an artist where you strip away the marketing and business aspects of working on a project and just work on the project. Hamilton keeps you honest.
When I moved here in 2012, landlords were just happy to fill their properties. Landlords would see a married couple and trip over themselves to give you a place. The rent was cheap and the wine flowed like butter. I mean, that’s pure hyperbole, but I did move from an expensive city to a relatively cheaper city so I could concentrate on doing my art.
I was going to live the life I dreamed of as a comedian who did comedy without a day job. In Canada? Unheard of. Sure, I was in my mid-30s, but it was all coming together. My partner had a good job, I was touring and doing minor roles on television. We had DISPOSABLE INCOME!
I came to Hamilton during the whole “Art is the new steel” era. The branding embraced by many sectors in the city depicted Hamilton as the hip new place for young artists and entrepreneurs to lay down roots. It was an attempt to move away from the blue-collar, industrial image that was the backbone of Steel City since forever.
I thought it meant a change deeper than slogans. Needless to say, I was very naive.
Ten years later, rents have skyrocketed and the cost of living has skyrocketed. “Art is the new Steel” has become “Real estate is the new art.” That’s what people are investing in, not creative outputs.
During the pandemic, and even before it, housing prices and rental costs rose all over Canada, and, by no coincidence, homeless encampments expanded. “Renovictions,” something I heard happening to friends of mine back in Toronto, began happening more often here. Beloved spots like This Ain’t Hollywood, the Hamilton rock club staple, have been sold to real estate developers who want to turn the top floor into high end “apartments.”
Affordable for all, including working and creative people
In the book How to Kill a City, by P.E. Moskowitz, the author points out that “gentrification, at its deepest level, is really about reorienting the purpose of cities away from being spaces that provide for the poor and middle classes and toward being spaces that generate capital for the rich.”
Cities, in their attempt to “rejuvenate” downtown cores, will bring in artists in order to attract the money. Artists help create a voice for communities, a canvas to express the many people that live there. It’s easy to see why people want to live in areas where artists tend to congregate.
However, once the money comes, affordability goes, displacing not only the artists, but the people who live and work in the area in the process.
I realize as an artist I’m very much a part of all of this. I moved from Toronto with the promise of cheap housing, something many Torontonians have done and continue to do, driving up prices in the process. I was naive to think that attracting young creatives to the city was the end goal, and not one of the stepping stones towards gentrification.
Now, much older and wiser, I understand that “art is the new steel,” is just a stepping stone towards condo development. I also understand that a city like Hamilton is built upon the idea that as a community we need to take care of the least fortunate amongst us. That art, affordable housing and proper jobs can and should co-exist.
When we think about housing, especially during elections, we seem to focus on the affordability of buying homes or the interests of new homeowners. While I won’t argue that isn’t important, a priority for this year’s election should be affordable housing across the board.
The ability to not just work but to have quality of life is important. As an artist, I see many of my contemporaries being pushed to the fringes, having to relocate to smaller and smaller towns.
Last year, I had the honour of hosting the Hamilton Arts Awards. I had the privilege of interviewing a diverse section of artists, who make up this city. One thing I took away was how much this city inspired them to create, and how much of this city was in their work.
Art is important to this city, and this city is important to art. I hope all of us here take time to remember that.
For more of CBC Hamilton’s municipal election coverage:
Art
Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork
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
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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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