Art

Embracing accident: How an art retreat holiday helped ease my anxiety

Published

8 months ago

January 7, 2024

Art is now a common form of therapy used everywhere from mental health hospitals to wellbeing charity programmes.

When I leave London in early December, there’s a damp chill in the air that seems to penetrate right through my heavy coat. As someone who suffers from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the onset of winter is always a tricky time.

So when I step off the plane on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia to be hit with a wall of warm, humid air and the earthy smell of rain-drenched vegetation, my mind feels immediately lighter.

I haven’t come to the holiday hotspot just for a bit of winter sun, however. To really quash my seasonal descent into depression and anxiety, I’m joining an art retreat at beachside resort StolenTime by Rendezvous.

How can art benefit mental health?

According to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) published in 2019, results from over 3000 studies identified a “major role for the arts in the prevention of ill health, promotion of health, and management and treatment of illness across the lifespan.”

Art is now a common form of therapy used everywhere from mental health hospitals to wellbeing charity programmes.

At StolenTime, London-based artist Venetia Berry is leading our sessions. Different activities promise to help us rekindle our imagination, free our minds from expectations and embrace chance.

Why should you go on an art retreat?

Berry begins our first lesson by asking us to close our eyes, imagine a square and then trace its outline in time to slow breaths. It helps dampen the busy thoughts and focus my mind on something less complicated and more concrete.

Then, Berry shows us how we are going to paint a ‘whimsical landscape’ to help us connect with our creativity.

I’m immediately drawn to the giant, gnarled Samaan tree outside – which is reportedly over 150 years old – and the broad, lime-green leaves of thick foliage that make the resort feel half-hidden in jungle.

I add a figure doing yoga – I attended a dreamy beachside session that morning – and a stretching cat as an ode to Bubbles, the hotel’s resident feline.

Berry asks us to steer clear of realistic colours, so my tree becomes purple for the inky sky when we arrived the night before and the ground becomes the bright turquoise of the Caribbean sea.

The first lesson has felt freeing; Berry doesn’t let us erase anything and encourages us to plunge in without fearing mistakes.

Where is the best art retreat?

The Caribbean lends itself as a location for mental well-being improvement. Warm weather draws you out into the fresh air while the short-lived but heavy rain showers have a therapeutic sense of release.

At night, the air is filled with chirping and squawking from birds and frogs, and the rhythmic surf of the sea is surprisingly somniferous.

Adults-only StolenTime – which bills itself as a wellness resort letting guests escape from the pressures of the modern-day world – encourages early rising with beach walks, bike rides to the Saturday market, fitness classes with ex-Olympians and sunrise meditation.

It doesn’t go so far down the wholesome route to become completely ascetic, however.

There’s a bubbly hour every evening, two pages worth of rum cocktails on the drinks menus, a toes-in-the-sand restaurant with Creole-infused dishes and live music in the evenings (though only till 11 pm lest guests miss their morning yoga).

There’s also much beyond the resort’s boundaries by way of salubrious activities. Climbing the UNESCO-designated Gros Piton is a spectacular two-hour toil up a rocky ascent.

The path is crowded with cacti, palms and giant gumbo-limbo trees whose peeling red bark so resembles sunburnt skin it has earned the crushing nickname of ‘tourist tree’.

Nearby, there are volcanic sulphurous mudbaths for glowing skin and waterfalls for circulation-boosting cold plunges.

The more hedonistic can dance away their cares at the Friday Night Street Party in Gros Islet where a colossal sound system pumps out reggae and the streets are a haze of smoke from open-air grills.

Back at the resort, our subsequent art sessions push us to be more abstract, with a nod to Matisse’s late-life obsession with paper cut-outs and Berry’s own undulating, female-body-inspired artworks.

Relinquishing control and embracing accident is a challenging but powerful practice to ease anxiety.

“Nothing will ever come out exactly as you expect it,” Berry says, referring to our artworks but perhaps also to life in general. “I’m never fully satisfied with my work, which is why I keep creating.”

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Art

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

Published

3 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

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

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Art

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

Published

4 weeks 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.

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