Art
Bonavista Peninsula plays ‘host’ to 23 contemporary art works for 2023 biennale
The Bonavista Biennale, a world-class public art event filled with immersive and sometimes challenging art, is back across the Bonavista Peninsula.
The event is held every second year and features contemporary art works displayed and performed over a 165 kilometre-long area.
This year’s theme is “host,” and participating artists were invited to interpret that theme however they wished.
Ryan Rice, one of the co-curators of the event, says it was inspired by the tourism industry in the region, but also the landscape itself.
“Visiting Bonavista and the peninsula, thinking about why people come here, what people do and how they interact. And reverting back to the original host, which is the land and water and building from there,” he said.
Rice said one of the interesting features of the region is the interplay between history and hospitality, pointing out that many historic locations and structures are being maintained by the hospitality industry as bed and breakfasts or attractions.
“We’re thinking about the resources, thinking about histories, thinking about our relations to land and water… and actually thinking about hospitality,” he said.
A host on the coast
Biennale executive director Sue Balint says there are 23 art projects that are part of this year’s festival and there are different ways to experience it all.
“Some people plan their trip, right? Their journey around the peninsula. Other people happen upon an individual work out in the natural landscape and say ‘what’s going on here?’ and then they go, ‘oh, there’s a thing called the biennale and there are more projects underway.”
Things kicked off Saturday with Sturgeon Woman Rising, an art piece in Elliston by Lindsay Katsitsakaste Delaronde, a Kanienke’haka artist and performer from Kahnawà:ke, near Montreal.
Inuk artist Billy Gauthier is also featured at the event. He was commissioned by the biennale to produce a new sculpture.
For Gauthier, the theme of host began as a broad one, so he had to narrow it down and decide what he wanted to represent, but he became inspired by his subject.
“The ultimate host is, of course, the Earth,” says Gauthier.
“She’s the host for all of us, for every single bit of life on this planet. So she’s what we need to take care of, you know? Mother Earth is incredibly, incredibly important. And there’s nothing bigger, nothing more worth protecting.”
Gauthier will be carving into a massive fin whale skull over the course of seven days, a creative marathon he says is unlike anything he’s attempted.
“This is probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done,” he said.
“Well, at least next to, as some people might know, a hunger strike that myself and a couple of others went on a few years ago.”
Gauthier, along with two others, went without food for 13 days in 2016 over the risk of methylmercury contamination due to the Muskrat Falls reservoir.
“This is right up next to it for difficulty, I got to say,” he said.
“It’s been incredible but tough and exciting and everything.”
The Bonavista Biennale will be running across the Bonavista Peninsula until Sept. 17.
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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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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