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Banksy unveils new street art in London neighborhood of Finsbury Park – The Washington Post

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6 months ago

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LONDON — The Banksy appeared the way Banksy murals often do: overnight, unsigned and to everyone’s complete surprise.

Before the artist claimed credit, this north London neighborhood was embroiled in a full-on whodunit.

Was it truly the world-famous, elusive artist who had painted streaks of bright green paint that appeared as if they were foliage behind a large tree? Were there telltale signs of his work in the portrait of the young person holding a pressure sprayer on the peeling wall?

By the gray and rainy Monday morning, this normally sleepy corner of Finsbury Park had turned into a circus. Journalists and local politicians descended on the scene after the mural appeared Sunday. A Banksy expert rushed over and declared it to be the likely work of the artist. Neighbors shared photos on chat groups; an unusual crowd gathered to snap selfies and give interviews to journalists.

There were other questions aside from the mural’s provenance. What would it mean for the neighborhood? The Banksy work appeared on a wall just off Christie Court, a block of housing run by the local authority in the borough of Islington, where poor and working-class families live alongside very wealthy residents. “Banksy came overnight and now my rent will skyrocket,” one person posted on social media with an upside-down smiling face emoji.

And then, of course, there were questions about the meaning of the artwork itself.

“It’s been done for a purpose: to get people talking, to get people interested,” said Jeremy Corbyn, the member of Parliament who represents North Islington and a former leader of Britain’s Labour Party, who arrived near the mural on Hornsey Road around 10:30 a.m. and was immediately flocked by cameras and curious constituents.

But talking about what, and interested in what? Banksy’s anti-establishment street art has achieved global notoriety in recent years, and curiosity about the artist himself has lent an aura of mystery to his work. However, Banksy rarely — if ever — explains the meaning behind his street art, letting audiences interpret it for themselves. This makes reaching a definitive conclusion about any work by Banksy a tricky task.

Banksy’s own pictures of the work had no caption on social media.

“It’s typical Banksy,” said Jenna Edwards, 31, a local resident who came to see the mural when she heard about it around the neighborhood. Edwards thinks it’s a symbol of unity. “No matter if the branches and the leaves fall off, as long as you address the root, and we all come together, then we can grow back better,” she said of the tree and its painted foliage.

Jonathan Ward, 55, a local resident and community activist, believes the mural carries an environmental message. Ward said the young person painted on the wall “seems to be holding a weedkiller spray,” in what could be a reference to the “damaging effect” of products such as glyphosate.

Some observers noted that the paint’s shade of green is similar to a shade used by Islington Council, the district authority in charge, in street signs. Yet others said it was a reference to St. Patrick’s Day, which was Sunday.

Rafael Schacter, an associate professor of anthropology and material culture at University College London, said in an email that the mural was “one of the best Banksy works I’ve seen in a while,” and felt “genuinely site-specific.”

“The brutally pollarded tree against the plain side wall of the adjacent building it sits against provides a really perfect backdrop,” he said, speculating that the work was a statement on the debate about how to best maintain and care for trees. He said the use of color and technique “in which hand-pumped garden pressure sprayers are re-purposed to paint graffiti — something similarly done with fire extinguishers — is a nice touch in term of the relation to … their use in gardening, often for weeding.”

It quickly became an attraction. A group of 23-year-olds heard about the mural that morning and came to have a look. “It’s the first time I’ve ever seen [a Banksy] in the flesh,” one said.

In a local coffee shop and bakery called Jolene, the barista told patrons about the mural as she handed them their coffee, directing them to the right spot. Young people working on their laptops talked about who they thought did it.

In recent years, public art by Banksy has at times sparked extreme reactions in the communities where it has appeared: Last year, The Washington Post reported that the district council in Margate, a seaside town in eastern England, dismantled an installation by Banksy timed for Valentine’s Day — prompting an outcry from residents who called it overreach by their local government at the expense of art that could draw tourists to their town.

And in December, two people were arrested after a piece of Banksy’s work — a London stop sign adorned with what appeared to be drones — went missing.

Islington Council told The Washington Post in an email that its “graffiti removal team is aware of the artwork” by Banksy “and won’t remove it.”

The mural “has sparked a real buzz across Islington and beyond, and we very much want the artwork to stay for people to enjoy,” said Roulin Khondoker, executive member of Islington Council for equalities, culture and inclusion, in the email. “We want to find more ways that we can tell important stories through art and culture.”

Adela Suliman and Anumita Kaur contributed to this report.

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

Published

13 mins ago

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September 13, 2024

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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

Published

2 weeks ago

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September 2, 2024

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

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

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4 weeks ago

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August 18, 2024

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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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