Art
Art 'hasn't failed us yet' – Winnipeg Free Press
If you can’t make great art during a global pandemic, when can you?
That’s the view of Jordan Van Sewell, one of Manitoba’s best-known artists and a man who has been producing brilliantly whimsical ceramic sculptures for 47 years.
Van Sewell works in his South Point Douglas studio.
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RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Van Sewell works in his South Point Douglas studio.
“It certainly feeds the imagination, living in these times,” Van Sewell, 65, told this columnist and longtime friend in a telephone interview from his home/studio in the Winnipeg neighbourhood of South Point Douglas. “For me, it gives me an opportunity to specifically address some of the big issues — such as, are we going to make it through the pandemic?
“When I look at some of the things that have happened in my work or my life — whether it’s the Beatles on Ed Sullivan or the moon landing in 1969 or the birth of my children — all these things are huge, but you think the possible end of the world is huge, too,” he said.
“I’ve got to continue doing what I do through this pandemic and understanding it in my little artsy way. In the big picture, none of us has a voice in this.”
The silver lining amid the tragedy is it has given Van Sewell the two things an artist needs most: the time to create and inspiration to fuel the imagination.
Van Sewell is hunkered down in his home/studio with wife, Joanne, son, Zane, and two cats, Pearl and Dude. His gallery on the second floor of The Forks Market has been shuttered since the novel coronavirus took its grip on Manitoba.
“No responsibility other than stay home and take care of yourself,” the artist explained. “I’ve been staying home and making stuff… The pandemic has given me the opportunity to do a lot of work and the subject matter. You try to figure out what the heck is going on, and reflect that in your art.”
It has led him to create five remarkable pieces inspired by the outbreak, whimsical-yet-serious ceramic sculptures to offer a sense of hope in dark times.
“All the pieces are meant to hang on the wall,” he said. “Three of these are called Heavy Seas. Each… has a plague doctor (a physician who treated victims of the bubonic plague) in it like you’d see in a painting by Hieronymus Bosch.”
The first features the long-nosed, sunglasses-and-babushka-wearing plague doctor on a raft with a skeleton and a dog. The second has the main character paddling a canoe in heavy waves. The third has the pointy-beaked figure and a surprised-looking dog in a barrel riding the waves.
“Each one also has an element of optimism about it,” Van Sewell offered. “The waves look like comforting arms that envelope you. It’s a double-edged sword: the waves could topple the boat but, at the same time, they look like welcoming arms.”
The last two pandemic pieces depict heaven and hell. “Those are the logical options. The idea that, inevitably, that’s where it ends, either heaven or hell.”
One of his latest pieces is called Heavy Seas, inspired by the pandemic and by artist Hieronymus Bosch.
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RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
One of his latest pieces is called Heavy Seas, inspired by the pandemic and by artist Hieronymus Bosch.
Van Sewell said he’s not yet worried about keeping his famously beret-clad head and signature beard above water as the pandemic crushes the economy and threatens lives.
However, he said, most artists throughout Manitoba are used to struggling, even during good times.
“Everybody is going to be affected by it and, unfortunately, the effect is the money,” he said. “Most artists are used to the idea (of scraping by). For a lot of these people, the idea of an income from art is not in the equation.”
His few outings in recent weeks have consisted mostly of visiting his shuttered gallery to water the plants.
“I go to The Forks, and there’s nobody there,” he said. “It’s like one of those dystopian or apocalyptic movies. You can see how some people might feel it’s the end of the world.”
The upbeat, self-effacing artist considers the sculptures inspired by reality of a deadly pandemic to be among his best work, and said they are intended to reflect optimism and hope for the future.
“I wouldn’t be making this stuff — even if it is tongue-in-cheek — unless I knew there was a future for it and for me,” Van Sewell said. “It’s going to end, and we’ll all end up in a new world and a better world as a result.
Artists have a critical role to play in helping people get through dark times, providing insight and a sense of hope, he said.
“It always has. Every day that goes by, art has helped me… art hasn’t failed us yet,” he said. “It’s a good thing to back during this pandemic. I’m betting on art.”
doug.speirs@freepress.mb.ca
Doug Speirs
Columnist
Doug has held almost every job at the newspaper — reporter, city editor, night editor, tour guide, hand model — and his colleagues are confident he’ll eventually find something he is good at.
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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