Art

Wayne Ngan — B.C. ceramics artist whose 'whole life is an art project' — has died – CBC.ca

Published

4 years ago

June 27, 2020

Wayne Ngan saw the whole world as a work of art, and drew inspiration from the natural beauty around him, says his daughter.

Ngan, a prolific and award-winning Canadian sculptor, painter and ceramics artist, died on June 12 due to lymphoma. He was 83.

“I think as an artist, you have a different way of looking, and he had a particular way. And for him, nature was very much a big part of his life. And I think through nature, he was able to see things differently,” his daughter Gailan Ngan, a ceramics artist herself, told As It Happens host Carol Off.

“I think his whole life is an art project.”

‘A survivor immigrant’

Ngan was born in Canton, China, and immigrated to Canada by way of Hong Kong in 1951 in his teens.

He couldn’t speak English, and he had few resources at his disposal. When he first arrived, he lived near Richmond, B.C., with his grandfather, who Gailan said was not equipped to act as a father figure to Ngan.

“He’s an artist, but he was also a survivor immigrant,” Gailan said. “I say survivor … because he was able to make connections with almost everybody.… Six years later, he was at art school and he was, you know, partly living with an art school teacher of his.

“He knew how to meet people and connect. And I find it amazing, you know, coming without the language and in the 1950s. I can’t imagine the racism he endured.”

Ngan and his daughters when they were children. (waynengan.com)

According to the Times-Colonist, Ngan attended Vancouver School of Art where he received the Marie E. Lambert Pottery Prize. He graduated with honours in 1963 and moved to Hornby Island, B.C., four years later.

It was there that he would spend most of his life, at a picturesque home studio that he built himself “right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean.”

It’s a sprawling piece of land, Gailan said, some 5,000 square feet, including their family home, which is filled with windows and skylights so nature is ever-present.

“There’s animals, you know, wildlife everywhere, birds, trees, the ocean,” she said.

The prominent B.C. sculptor and potter was internationally recognized for his work. (waynengan.com)

For many years, the studio’s most prominent feature was Ngan’s massive, Sung Dynasty-inspired wood-fired kiln, which he built himself with money from a Canada Council for the Arts grant.

“It’s almost like having a dragon in your house. It had a presence, you know,” Gailan said, adding that her father eventually took it down — perhaps partly because it wasn’t exactly the epitome of safety.

“He was well-known to the fire department here,” she said.

Ngan used a grant to build a 300-cubic-foot, Sung Dynasty-inspired wood-fired kiln, based on one he saw at the Beijing National Museum. (waynengan.com)

During his career, Ngan won many awards for his work, including the 1983 Ngan Saidye Bronfman Award for Masters of the Crafts and the 2013 British Columbia Creative Achievement Award of Distinction.

His work has been displayed around the world, including in China, where he often travelled to lead workshops.

Ngan’s works varied from the utilitarian to the purely artistic, his daughter Gailan Ngan says. (waynengan.ca)

But he is also remembered for the inspiration he gave to others, including his former student Douglas S. White, a prominent Nanaimo, B.C., lawyer who spent an entire summer apprenticing under Ngan in 1990.

White, who is also known as Kwulasultun and Tliishin, told the Times Colonist: “I spent the summer being immersed in his rhythm and his approach to making art. I spent the summer being surrounded by beauty.

“I spent the summer drinking out of his bowls, eating off of his plates. In this way, I learned what a good pot is.”

Gailan Ngan says her father always made vessels, whether simple or complex. (waynengan.com)

Ngan was also an inspiration to Gailan, who followed in his footsteps as a ceramics artist.

“I grew up in a pottery studio, and I learned a lot, but I didn’t actually start throwing [clay] until I was 19 or 20. But by then, I knew how to do all the other things,” she said.

“I think the beauty about ceramics and pottery is that it is something that is, you know, everyday use, as well as being a sculpture or art. So it’s very much kind of human scale. And I think lots of artists loved his work because of that. They love pottery. Artists love pottery.”

Her father’s work straddles those lines, too, she said.

“The ceramics was a huge range itself, you know, from the very utilitarian bowl or cup [or] tea bowl, to something quite, sculptural — and still in vessel form but sculptural.”

Home again in the end

Toward the end of his life, Ngan spent less time on Hornby Island and more time in Vancouver. But when COVID-19 hit, that all changed.

The whole family decided to ride out the pandemic together at their childhood home. Ngan was there with Gailan and her 11-year-old son, as well as her sister Goya and her two sons, ages 12 and 15.

Ngan will be remembered for his work and the inspiration he had on others. (waynengan.com)

“It’s a pretty special time, and I think that there’s some sweet moments there,” Gailan said. “It’s also neat to see, like, see my dad and his grandsons. It’s quite striking. I can see the genetics there.”

It’s like the time all three of them built a forge in the nearby parking lot and didn’t tell anyone until they were done.

“They just they love creating stuff,” Gailan said. “It’s great fun to see.”

Written by Sheena Goodyear. Interview with Gailan Ngan produced by Chloe Shantz-Hilkes.

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

Published

22 hours 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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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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