Art

'Vodka for butter': The art of bartering for food in snow-covered St. John's – National Post

Published

5 years ago

January 22, 2020

By Prajwala Dixit

Before grocery stores reopened in snow-covered St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador on Tuesday, locals took to the age-old, yet ingenious way of surviving — bartering.

Faced with shuttered stores for four days and a state of emergency there was little else people could do.

When Andie Bulman, a chef and caterer with the Artist Cafe, wanted to make some blueberry crumble, she put a post on Facebook asking for butter and brown sugar, in exchange for top-quality tonic water. However, exchanging alcohol seemed to garner the most success.

“I’ve been doing dry January, so I mostly used my booze as leverage,” Bulman said. “I traded vodka for butter, gin for butter, rum for butter.”

Bulman wasn’t alone. Many people in the provincial capital region of nearly 180,000 were caught off guard by the storm that virtually shut down the city. That’s why there were massive queues to get into stores when they finally reopened. Even with the city advising people to buy enough food for 48 hours – some were too daunted to wait in line and others, by the time they made it to the stores, found some shelves practically empty.

Hence the bartering done in person and through social media may continue. Cigarettes, beer, and chips quickly became storm currency during the past few days.

Lea Mary Movelle posted to a Facebook group making an earnest request for toilet paper in exchange for alcohol.

“We’ve been lucky enough that it’s the only thing we’ve run low on, and the community quickly rallied to get us several rolls,” she said. “Most people didn’t even want our booze! The offer is still good though.”

It’s really important to make sure that everyone is taken care of

With plenty of alcohol and weed exchanging hands, some expect there could be a mini baby boom in nine months time. However, contraceptives were also bartered for, so that may not come to pass.

A post by Kathryn Burke on Facebook about bartering led to a seemingly timely save. When she learned a wheelchair-bound woman living in a senior’s complex was running low on her diabetic pills, she set out to help. Several phone calls and social media messages later, a bag of chocolates, veggies and sausages were delivered to assist her out until she could get her pills.

What many have realized is how precarious island living can be – especially if supplies aren’t available.

It didn’t take long for Steph Power who is part of the St. John’s food-sharing co-op Stone Soup to realize people in her neighbourhood were looking for goods. Baby formula, over-the-counter medication such as Tylenol and Advil, and menstrual supplies were all in demand. And, of course, so was food – namely milk and eggs.

A resident shovels snow in St. John’s on Jan. 19, 2020, following a major storm.

Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press

Aware that not everyone was comfortable asking for help publicly, the ad-hoc group, which formed during the state of emergency, put a bin full of non-perishables such as pasta, canned food and cereal out on a snowbank on the corner of Barter’s Hill and Cabot Street downtown with a sign that said: ‘Take some or leave some.’ The contents were quickly snapped up.

“I think in a time of crisis it’s really important to make sure that everyone is taken care of, regardless of if you know them or not,” Power said.

More bins have since popped up across the city becoming tangible displays of communal support and reminders of the insecurity of living on an island.

Meanwhile, about 450 troops continue to dig the city and region out.

Most businesses other than groceries stores in St. John’s were directed to remain closed on Tuesday, with exceptions for gas stations and some pharmacies. The city said it would allow the St. John’s International Airport to resume flights Wednesday at 5 a.m.

Some grocery stores will also open during the day again, enabling people to stock up on necessities and bartering goods until the state of emergency is lifted.

— With files from The Canadian Press

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Art

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

Published

21 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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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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