Art

How to Buy Art Canada: A Beginner's Guide to Collecting Local Artists – The Kit

Published

4 years ago

December 10, 2020

We’re comfortable with curating so many parts of our lives—our social feeds, our playlists, our bookshelves—but there’s something about the idea of buying art that feels like it’s only the purview of mustachioed men with monocles. If you’re not rich, galleries can be terrifying! What if you invest in something that you hate the minute you hang it? What if you buy a fake? It’s so much easier to just buy that same Ikea print that everyone else has.

While there’s no shame in a knockoff Chat Noir poster, purchasing original art can be one of life’s greatest pleasures—and it’s incredibly rewarding to support an artist you believe in. That’s why we’ve enlisted two art experts (and passionate collectors themselves) to demystify the process of buying art, whether for yourself or as a gift for someone you really, really love. Here’s what to keep in mind.

how to buy art canada — “Apocalypse Nude VIII” print by Marcia Bianchi, from $45, mrktgallery.com

Shop Now

1. Don’t get hung up on buying “good” art

“You’re the one who has to walk by it every day, so make sure you love it,” says Nuria Madrenas, a Toronto-based artist who founded MRKT Gallery, an online platform that sells work by women artists, both Canadian and international. “Major auction houses and art dealers have a variety of factors that go into determining what art is ‘good’ or valuable—condition, historical significance, rarity, etc.—but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. ‘Good art’ is simply what evokes emotion and excites you.” There’s always the chance you’ll get lucky and fund your retirement off an emerging artist you bought before they blew up into the next Rothko, but that shouldn’t be your primary motivation. “If you’re trying to buy a piece and flip it in a few years, that’s not a beginner’s game—and none of those kinds of artists start under $30,000 anyway,” says Océane Stanislas, a buyer at Simons, who recently worked with Montreal’s Galerie Blouin Division to curate a selection of pieces for sale on the retailer’s website.

Take a breath and do something good for you. Get the best wellness, health and fitness ideas and more, all in our daily newsletter.

Shop Now

2. Have a strategy for your collection

“Maybe you want to have a 50/50 parity between male and female artists,” Stanislas suggests, “or you want 60 per cent of pieces to be from indigenous artists.” It could also be a theme—like freedom, love, community—that each piece somehow reflects, whether that’s in its technique, subject matter or the artist themselves. If you’re looking to explore exciting Canadian artists, Madrenas recommends starting with Alyssa Goodman, Rachel Joanis, Marcia Bianchi and Chantel Walkes. And a very important pro tip, especially when buying art online: “Cut a piece of cardboard to the size of the art so you can figure it out in your space,” says Stanislas, “That way you aren’t surprised by how big—or small—it is when it arrives.”

Shop Now

3. Make a wish list, and save toward it

Buying art is a long game. Stanislas has a list of artists whose work she would love to own, and puts aside money each month toward that. This means that when a gallery emails her and says an artist has a piece in her price point, she can make a move. (A screen print by Caroline Monnet, one of the artists in the Blouin Division lineup, is up there on her list right now.)

Shop Now

4. Be realistic about what original artworks cost

When Stanislas was putting together the edit of works by Canadian artists currently available on the Simons website, price point was a key consideration. “We worked with the gallerist at Blouin Division to make sure we had pieces that were in the $1,500 to $3,500 range, which is what is considered the opening price point for someone who’s starting to collect.” There are also a few smaller pieces starting at $650, but it’s worth noting that they’re 3 by 3 inches in size—which, Stanislas points out, makes them ideal to collect as a group that you add onto in time. When you’re considering the money, think of the impact it will have. “When you’re buying art, it’s not just putting something beautiful in your home. You’re supporting a real, living person and you can have a true impact.”

If you don’t have the means to spend big, Madrenas suggests dipping your toe with prints of an artist’s work, which can be priced as accessibly as under $50. “Buy unframed prints and get creative with how you hang them,” she adds. “I’ve seen clients hang pieces with paper clips and string.”

Shop Now

5. Build relationships

One of Stanislas’s favourite ways of discovering art is to visit galleries—not with the intent to buy anything in particular, but rather to learn. “Art is about being curious,” she says, adding that most gallerists are delighted to chat with you about the work in their gallery, with no expectation of making a sale. “They work closely with the artists and they have a lot of knowledge to share.” If you see a piece by an artist you like but it’s out of your price range (or sold already) have a conversation with the gallerist and let them know your budget. “They’ll keep your name and will let you know if the artist does a piece within your budget, or even releases prints or some smaller pieces that would work for you,” says Stanislas. Madrenas says MRKT Gallery has recently added an “art curation assistance service,” where you can complete a questionnaire about your style, size constraints, budget etc., and have curated options sent your way—especially handy if you’re shopping for a gift.

Shop Now

6. Gift with consideration

As you might have gathered by now, purchasing art is a deeply personal experience, which can make gifting it to another person tricky. “If it’s someone you know well and you’ve seen the inside of their house, look into pieces that will compliment their decor style,” says Madrenas. “ If their interior steers mid-century modern, for example, consider an abstract piece in a similar colour palette.” Better yet? “Purchase a gift card to a great local gallery. Gift cards are just as thoughtful when you’re giving the gift of art.”

Shop Now

7. Take your time

Much like love, you can’t hurry collecting art. “You’ll know when it happens,” says Stanislas. “Wait until you see a piece and you just have to have it. Maybe it’s speaking to you, sparking an emotion in you or even surprising you by how it makes you feel. Sometimes it’s even funny. It’s something that you just want to keep with you, have around you.” Building a collection isn’t a process that you can bang out in a weekend of athletic googling. And that’s a good thing! “When you speak to collectors who have been buying art for years, their collection is their pride and joy,” says Stanislas. “Each piece has so much meaning behind it—the artists who made them, the relationship between all the pieces, the path their collecting took. It’s like their family.”

This article contains affiliate links, which means The Kit may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our journalism is independent and is in no way influenced by advertising. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set. More information.

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Source link

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

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

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

Source link

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.

Source link