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Displaced Ukrainian pianist holding concerts in Canada to build back Kharkiv Arts University

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2 years ago

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Anna Sagalova’s school in Kharkiv will require major structural repairs.Handout

“My favourite time of the day was always late,” recalls Ukrainian musician Anna Sagalova. When she would finish work with her students at the I.P Kotlyarevsky National University of the Arts in Kharkiv, she would sit and play the piano on her own. “There was this total possibility to practise into the middle of the night,” she says.

Sagalova, who taught at the school for 17 years, fled Ukraine with her young son a week after the Russian invasion began in February, 2022. “It was impossible to stay,” she says, as her hometown’s proximity to the border made the city a strategic target early on. After first travelling to Lviv in Western Ukraine, the pair then stayed with an academic contact in Weimar, Germany, before arriving in Canada in June. Sagalova is now based in Vancouver while her husband, who is a musician and composer, remains in Ukraine.

Kharkiv became a UNESCO City of Music in 2021. Since the start of the war on Feb. 24, 2022, more than 4,000 buildings in the city have been damaged, with one third of them hit directly, according to Deutsche Welle. Sagalova’s school will require major structural repairs. Also known as Kharkiv Conservatory, the institution, established in 1917, reflects the city’s once-vibrant music scene. Its student ensembles include an award-winning folk orchestra, a chamber orchestra, a choir and a symphony orchestra. It also has an opera studio.

Ms. Sagalova’s choice to settle in Vancouver is largely owing to the support of friend and fellow musician Eugene Skovorodnykov.Handout

When the war started, staff and students scrambled to collect whatever instruments they could for safekeeping, but they couldn’t get the pianos – more than 60 in total – out of the building. The grand Steinways are still sitting in a room with cracked walls, dripping ceilings and no windows. Moisture, dirt and grime have resulted in snapped strings and warped wood, and rendered the inner mechanisms useless.

In an effort to rebuild, the university has founded the Mystetskyy Allians Charitable Foundation, with Sagalova holding concerts in Canada to help raise funds. “I feel it is my duty to show the staff and students that they are not alone, that they are supported,” she says. Produced by Pickle Underground in partnership with Toronto’s Canzona Chamber Players, the performances so far include one in Vancouver last month, and a coming show in Toronto on Jan. 17.

The Toronto concert mainly features music by Ukrainian composers – Mykola Lysenko, Myroslav Skoryk, Mark Karmynsky and Volodymyr Ptushkin, who died six weeks after the start of the invasion.

“Ptushkin was one of my teachers and friends as well, though he was much older than me. But we were close,” Sagalova says. “I think it’s very important that his music be heard.”

Closing the programme is the work of Ukrainian-Canadian artist/musician Anna Pidgorna, whose composition Amhrain Chaointe: I. Caoineadh Eibhlin (Keening Songs: I. Eileen’s Lament), with the text of 18th-century Irish poet Eibhlin Dubh Ni Chonaill, will be performed by soprano Rachel Krehm. Sagalova’s presentations in Canada, including appearances at various Vancouver venues last autumn, have been met with enthusiasm. “I didn’t expect it was possible,” she says. “The people who are coming for the concerts are so warm – it feels amazing to see their reaction to the work.”

The Canadian venues are more intimate than the spaces Sagalova – who has also performed in Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and China – is familiar with. In Ukraine she appeared at music festivals including Kharkiv Assemblies (of which she is artistic director), acted as a jury member for numerous music competitions and conducted regular cross-country tours. Her final performance there was at Kharkiv Conservatory on Feb. 22, 2022. “It was hard to manage,” she recalls.

The choice to settle in Vancouver is largely owing to the support of friend and fellow musician Eugene Skovorodnykov, a Ukrainian-Canadian pianist and artistic director of the Vancouver International School of Music. The institution shares an association with Kharkiv Conservatory, and it is currently where Sagalova teaches.

Life in Ms. Sagalova’s hometown is returning, she says.Handout

“I am very glad that now it’s possible for me to combine work here and in my home university,” she says. “Nobody knows how the war will finish, or when, so I thought I should have some way to be independent.” The 31 students Sagalova once had in Kharkiv have been whittled down to three, all of whom she now instructs online.

Life in Sagalova’s hometown is returning, she says, and Kharkiv Conservatory is setting up a small concert venue in the basement. “There are events in bomb shelters and on ground floors now, and people are coming for those concerts. They need the possibility to find something optimistic in terms of how to live, after everything.”

Would she return to Kharkiv? “I don’t know,” she says. “Nobody knows how or where this will finish. And when this war does end, then I will decide together with my husband if he will come here or if I will go there. But for now, I will try to do everything I can for my hometown.”

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

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2 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

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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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4 weeks 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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