Art
When the pandemic hit, these musicians returned to their art school roots
When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, it came at a time when musician and new mom Jenn Grant needed a break.
“There’s no way that I ever would have had, like, a mat leave,” she said. “And I was pretty exhausted from touring a record with a new baby and experiencing postpartum [depression and anxiety].”
On top of that, Grant was pregnant with her second child.
And in those days of restrictions, Grant found herself doing something she hadn’t been doing much of in the previous decade and a half: painting.
Grant graduated with a bachelor of fine arts from NSCAD University in 2006. But as her music career took off, she struggled to include painting in her life, although she did paint the covers for some of her early albums.
Grant said her NSCAD days helped her overcome her stage fright. While she’d been writing songs since she was a kid and felt drawn to a career in music, performing in public made her so nervous she wasn’t able to do it.
She said when she enrolled at NSCAD, she was more comfortable expressing herself through visual art.
“The artistic community at NSCAD was helping and supportive … and it sort of lended itself to me becoming more comfortable as a performer,” she said.
Working with an easel in her kitchen, Grant started painting again in 2020.
Painting has become such a part of her life that in the past year, she had a proper studio built at her Lake Echo, N.S., home.
“I just feel so, so fully content and joyful when I can get in there, which sometimes I’m in there every day, all day long and it’s wonderful,” she said.
Grant has an exhibit scheduled for March 2024 at The Prow Gallery in Halifax. And recently, she started painting portraits of Palestinian journalists to raise money for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. She said she’s raised almost $32,000 doing that.
“The real thing about it, I think, is just trying to bring awareness to what’s happening in Gaza,” she said.
Musician Andrew Scott has done a similar pivot back to art.
“When the pandemic hit, it was such an opportunity for me to really, really lean in to this practice because my, quote, day job, was not on the table for a few years,” he said.
The Sloan drummer was three credits short of a degree from NSCAD when he dropped out in the early 1990s to pursue a career in music.
He moved from Halifax to Toronto in the mid-1990s.
As the group’s fame rose, art moved to the back burner for him. In 1997 or 1998, he started painting again, renting some studios.
But for the past two decades, he’s been doing art off and on in an unheated garage at his Toronto home.
Since the pandemic, he usually spends a few hours a day working on art in his studio. Using monochromatic phthalo blue and titanium white paint, he’s been busy creating original works, as well as doing commissions of people’s cats and dogs. He uses oil-based paints, which don’t freeze, a must for the unheated space.
Scott sells his work through his Instagram page, bypassing the gallery route.
“I think that all the sales that I generate have more of an honest interaction to them because it’s just a prospective buyer and me, the maker, and it just starts with a conversation and there’s nothing intimidating about it,” said Scott.
Even when Scott hasn’t been making art, he’s soaked it up, visiting galleries when touring.
“I have nothing but time all day, every day,” he said. “Like, I only have to work at eight or nine at night. So the last thing I’m going to do is just sit around and watch the clock tick by. I’m going to go see art, if it’s available, in almost every place I go.”
When Scott left NSCAD, a professor suggested Scott mail postcards from the road, with the aim of granting some credits in exchange for this assignment. But Scott never mailed any.
Scott is planning to move back to Halifax within the next year. Asked if he has any intention to complete his degree, he said the school closes student files after 10 years, so without starting over, getting a degree won’t be simple.
“I don’t need it anymore,” he said. “It would be nice to show my mom, but she understands.”
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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