Art

The Women’s Art Association of Hamilton unveils its annual exhibition

Published

1 year ago

May 8, 2023

Anita Thomas goes out on her motorcycle, with or without husband, to boost her creativity.

“I find it really energizes, inspires, and helps to ground myself again for painting,” she says. “Camera slung over my shoulder — if I can convince him to stop for a moment — I can quickly take a shot for reference and then be off again.”

Anne Smythe, camera in hand, energizes her artistic muse when walking with her dog.

Both women transmute their sensitivity to their surroundings into art. Paintings by both of them are part of “Perception,” an exhibition by the Women’s Art Association of Hamilton at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. This annual exhibition, the 127th, comprises 30 pieces by 23 artists.

Thomas, who has worked in fashion, tackles a variety of art-making materials and techniques, including photography and painting. She is very passionate about painting with encaustic, an ancient hot-wax technique using beeswax and raw pigments.

“I make my own medium and encaustic paint,” she tells me. “The alchemy of it all is so addictive. Each layer is fused to the previous with the heat of a blow torch.”

Anita Thomas, "Deafening Silence," encaustic painting.

This leads to wonderfully dynamic landscapes like “Deafening Silence.” Thomas likes how well encaustic suits her subject.

“Layers and layers can be built up with varying levels of translucency, creating depth, luminosity, and giving it an ethereal quality,” she says. “You can create such contrasting textures, too, from smooth and highly polished surfaces to richly textured layers that have been sculpted.”

Anne Smythe, "Inside Out ? Man," oil painting.

In spite of a photographic reference, Thomas’s landscape is not of a particular place.

“The wind-swept fields are more of a representation of turbulent emotions, transience of life, passing of time, and desolation. At a glance, some people see snowy fields, others see sandy beaches. Either could be right, but deeper than that, I don’t know if I’d want people to go. It’s an uncomfortable feeling for me when a place that can be considered beautiful can also make me feel alone or hopeless.”

Thomas won an Honourable Mention for this painting. An Honourable Mention also went to Smythe for “Inside Out — Man.” Unlike Thomas’s loosely representational landscape, Smythe paints in a lifelike style. But her paintings are more surreal, that is, she takes the ordinary and makes it strange through a juxtaposition of unlikely settings and events.

In “Inside Out — Man,” for instance, she creates a pleasing landscape of wildflowers, grasses, water, a distant shore with trees, and a blue sky with white clouds. A path in the foreground looks inviting. But most of this path is occupied by a barefooted man in a dark suit sitting on a chair that belongs indoors. Hand on chin in a thoughtful attitude, he’s watching a red-winged blackbird.

Lorraine Coakley, "Second Chance," oil painting.

Smythe, who paints every day, says this oil is part of a series she created during the pandemic. Another work in this series is included in this exhibition.

“With the pandemic, we were all, unfortunately, very much on the inside looking out,” she says. ”I incorporate the beauty of what I have seen with the need to make a statement, or to make a traditional landscape painting more interesting.”

The two other award winners are Mary Cordeiro and Monique Campbell. And of course, there are other great works in this exhibition.

Elizabeth Malara-Wieczorek, "Bertie," My Little Gourmand, oil painting.

Lorraine Coakley, a wiz at cityscapes, observes rural life in “Second Chance.” She invites us into a sunny and restful landscape that recedes into the distance through strong horizontal spaces. In the spacious foreground a pair of goats, some chickens and a turkey busy themselves.

Coakley’s relatively pared-down scene contrasts with Jennifer Donolo’s more complex “Reflections on the Humber River.” The river hugs the shore and narrows as it winds its way into the distance. Rich colours and vibrant brush strokes abound. Donolo paints the river, for instance, in short horizontal strokes and envisions the dense vegetation as thin sinuous lines complemented by dabs of paint.

Elizabeth Malara-Wieczorek offers a wonderfully concise narrative with only two objects. In “Bertie, My Little Gourmand,” a cockatoo perches on a tall jar filled with twigs and leaves. The bird watches the viewer watching the bird. There are textures aplenty: the softness of the bird’s feathers, the glossiness of the glass jar and the raggedness of its contents.

Regina Haggo, art historian, public speaker, curator, YouTube video maker and former professor at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

Perception

Women’s Art Association of Hamilton 127th annual exhibition

Where: Fischer Gallery, Art Gallery of Hamilton, 123 King St. W.

When: until June 25

Admission: free to Fischer Gallery

Phone: 905-527-6610

Source link

Art

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

Published

6 days 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

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

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

Source link

Art

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

Published

1 month 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.

Source link