Art

A Toronto couple traded their city lives for a modernist, art-filled fort in Prince Edward County

Published

10 months ago

November 27, 2023

They wanted a one-level home where they could age in place

(Photography by Nathan Cyprys)

Jim Turner and Craig Daniel first visited Prince Edward County together in the late 1990s, staying with friends who rented a farmhouse every year. In Toronto, Turner co-owned an events and communications firm, and Daniel worked in HR. Coming from their hectic lives, the couple fell in love with the County’s peaceful setting and eclectic population. In 2012, they decided to buy a place. They looked at some 90 properties in the area, finally settling on a small plot of land at the south end of the County, with a 40-foot bluff facing Lake Ontario and a bird observatory nearby. They bought it for $195,000 with the intention to build a home and retire there one day.

Craig (left) and Jim (right) in their Superkül-designed dream home

Five years later, Turner and Daniel hired the architecture firm Superkül to design their County home and planned their escape from Toronto—they even quit their jobs on the same day. “I was ready to juggle fewer balls,” Turner says. They sold the Cabbagetown Victorian they’d lived in for 18 years and started organizing, storing and donating many of their possessions. Their P.E.C. home was still being designed, so they split their time between a pied-à-terre in downtown Toronto and a rented farmhouse in the County until the place was complete. To guide the Superkül team in the right direction, Turner and Daniel gathered stacks of magazine clippings and created mood boards. They each wrote Superkül private letters where they described their dream home—luckily, they matched.

They wanted something clean-lined and contemporary, with plenty of windows to take advantage of the spectacular views. Both of them are 61, so they requested a one-level home that would allow them to age in place. “We wanted friends to be able to roll their suitcases in, and for people to be able to roll us out once we’re dead,” says Turner. They also needed plenty of wall space to showcase their art collection, which includes works by Charles Pachter and Attila Richard Lukacs, and shelving to store their collections of books, antique radios and martini shakers.

Though the couple had quit their corporate jobs, they weren’t quite ready for retirement. Daniel planned to work as a freelance HR consultant, and Turner wanted to be involved in the arts scene: he comes from a family of collectors and grew up attending art auctions with his father. He bought his first Charles Pachter piece when he was 21, sparking a lifelong passion for Canadian art. In 2019, Daniel and Turner found a place on Main Street in Picton to open 2gallery, a showcase for contemporary Canadian art. “I thought a gallery was an ideal way of calming down and working less,” says Turner. “I was wrong.”

All told, the build cost roughly $1 million. They moved in at the end of February of 2020—just before the pandemic shut everything down. “We were lucky we were in a place where we could ensconce ourselves and be very comfortable,” says Turner. The result is an airy, minimalist white-brick structure with an entrance partially hidden behind vertical wood slats—a concept inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s early Prairie-style homes.

Inside, the entryway opens up to a walled-in glass garden, which Turner and Daniel call the terrarium. On the right, the open-concept living, dining and kitchen areas are framed by a wall of windows that overlook the water. “The view stops people dead in their tracks,” says Turner. The windows slide back and open onto an upper terrace and lower patio, making an enormous space to entertain guests in the summer. The couple’s personal quarters—a bedroom, ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet—are at one end of the house, and their guest quarters are at the other, along with an office that doubles as a third bedroom.

Since the home is built on solid rock and there’s no room for a basement, clever storage solutions were essential. The living spaces all extend from one 50-foot hallway, and Superkül installed matching white oak millwork that covers floor-to-ceiling cupboards, where Daniel and Turner can store everything they don’t want on display.

They didn’t have to sacrifice their art collection, either. More than 200 pieces currently hang on their walls, including a dramatic life-size portrait by Lukacs, an abstract painting by Gerald Ferguson and a Pachter Canadian flag in their living room. They also saved a few design classics from their old space, including Eames and Le Corbusier lounge chairs and a chest that Turner’s grandparents brought with them from England in 1908. “It still has their names, their ship and where they were headed—Brampton, Ontario—on the top,” he says.

These days, their favourite thing about the home is the view: when Daniel sits in his office, he can look out onto the bay and occasionally spot a bald eagle. Turner spends a lot of days at the gallery, but he loves waking up to the sight of the sun glistening off the water. They’re both still amazed by the sense of exploration they get when moving around the house. Every hidden nook, stunning view and innovative design flourish sparks joy. “It’s like peeling back an onion,” says Turner.

Source link

Art

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

Published

5 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