Art collection of late entrepreneur and philanthropist Jim Houston brought home to B.C.
Art
A Northwest Coast art collection comes home, along with a jade Buddha – Vancouver Sun
Irina Rakina looks over a jade Buddha at Uno Langman antiques in Vancouver.
Jim Houston left Vancouver to retire in Palm Springs in 2003. But he took his Northwest Coast native art collection with him.
Houston owned several pieces by Bill Reid, including a Dogfish woman bronze that was originally designed for his famed Spirit of Haida Gwaii sculpture at the airport.
He owned an elegant Robert Davidson bronze inspired by the human faces carved on 19th century argillite pipes, and a handsome wooden sculpture of a killer whale by Davidson’s brother Reg.
Historic art included an argillite plate with geometric forms dating to the middle of the 19th century, a handwoven Haida spruce hat circa 1880 and a handwoven Tlingit “rattle top basket” from the same era.
Naturally he had several totems by artists like Don Yeomans, Tim Boyko and Doug Zilkie. The collection also includes works by well-known First Nations artists like Ellen Neel, Susan Point and Jay Simeon.
Houston passed away in 2018 and his family put his 11,000 sq. ft. home up for sale. Part of his estate was sold in Palm Springs, but Vancouver antique dealer Uno Langmann convinced his family to bring a lot of his art back to Vancouver.
It’s now on sale at Langmann’s store at 2117 Granville. Walking into the store Friday was like entering a private museum. A museum you can take home, if you have the funds — Reid’s Dogfish Woman is for sale for $425,000.
Bill Reid’s monumental sculpture Dogfish Woman is on the right, Reg Davidson’s Killer Whale is on the left and Tim Boyko’s Grizzly Bear, Frog and Salmon totem is in the middle/back.
Jason Payne /
PNG
One of the most impressive pieces isn’t Northwest Coast — it’s a five foot tall jade Buddha on a bronze lotus throne.
Langmann said Houston commissioned sculptor Lyle Sopel to carve the Buddha out of a 2,000 pound B.C. jade boulder. The sculpture took three years to complete, and the finished product is 780 pounds.
“It’s one of the largest jade sculptures in the world, as far as I know,” said Langmann.
The inspiration for Houston’s Buddha was the seven foot tall jade Buddha at the Wat Dhammamongkol temple in Thailand. Houston had it blessed by Buddhist monks when he unveiled it at his Palm Springs home in 2003.
The cost of the sculpture is $950,000.
“A piece of jade (that size) today would be a quarter of a million, just for a rough piece of jade,” said Langmann.
Houston was born in Walla Walla, Washington and graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Washington. After two years in the U.S. air force he relocated to Vancouver, where he lived for four decades.
“He was a big entrepreneur and philanthropist in Vancouver,” said Langmann.
Joanne Fink holds a handwoven Tlingit “rattle top basket” dating to 1880 from the Jim Houston collection.
Jason Payne /
PNG
Houston was successful in real estate, was an owner of the Rocky Mountaineer train and once owned the Red Robin restaurant chain. He was very involved in charities in both Vancouver and Palm Springs, where he had a second home for years before moving there full time.
Langmann said Houston designed his Palm Springs home around the art collection he had assembled in Vancouver. Some pieces were big — the red cedar totem designed by Yeomans is eight and a half feet tall — others small, including a stunning Jay Simeon 22 karat gold pendant inset with abalone inlay.
But they were all exquisite, and expensive. The Yeomans Raven and Frog totem is $45,000, and the Simeon pendant is $22,000. The Haida spruce hat is $28,000, the argillite plate is $15,000 and the Tlingit rattle top basket is $8,500.
Joanne Fink holds a handwoven Haida spruce hat dating to 1880 from the Jim Houston collection.
Jason Payne /
PNG
A Jay Simeon 22 karat gold pendant inset with abalone inlay from the Jim Houston collection.
Jason Payne /
PNG
A Bill Reid tie pin from the Jim Houston collection.
Jason Payne /
PNG
A Double Figure Feast Dish attributed to Rudolph Walton (Tlingit, Born 1867) from the Jim Houston collection.
Jason Payne /
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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.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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