Art

‘A triumph of freedom of expression’: censored art museum opens in Spain

Published

11 months ago

October 23, 2023

Work by artists as diverse as Pablo Picasso, Ai Weiwei and the American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe will be brought together under one roof this week in what curators say is the world’s only museum devoted to art that has been censored.

The Museu de l’Art Prohibit (Museum of Forbidden Art) in Barcelona consists of about 200 works that have been denounced, attacked or removed from exhibition.

Tatxo Benet, a journalist and businessman, began the collection five years ago and is financing the museum, which opens on Thursday, out of his own pocket.

“This is the only museum in the world dedicated to art that has been censored,” he said. While artistic and aesthetic merit had played a part in the selection, the main factor for inclusion had been censorship, he added.

“There are works that perhaps don’t have great artistic merit but their story merits them a place in the museum. That’s what these works have in common and it shows that censorship has failed, because here you can see them. It’s a triumph of freedom of expression.”

Benet cites a collection of drawings by former prisoners in the Guantánamo Bay internment camp as an example of his philosophy. When an exhibition of freed prisoners’ work was mounted in New York in 2017, a member of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Board described it as a “travesty”.

The exhibition continued but the US government decreed that from then on a Guantánamo inmate’s art would have to be destroyed upon their release. “Although they don’t have great artistic merit, their story is important,” says Benet. “Exhibiting them here means they have, in effect, been liberated.”

There are works by artists from the US, Europe, Africa and Asia, and they cover a wide variety of topics. Many are commentaries on religion, primarily Christianity and Islam, and are often amusing, although perhaps not to clerics.

At first glance, Con Flores a María by the Spanish artist Charo Corrales conforms to the iconography of the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels – except that she has one hand between her legs and it is clear her ecstasy is more corporeal than divine.

Equally blasphemous are the Argentinian León Ferrari’s image of Christ crucified on the wings of a US fighter plane and the American Andres Serrano’s infamous Piss Christ, a blood-red photograph of the crucifixion immersed in the artist’s urine.

Also featured is Terry O’Neill’s photograph of Raquel Welch on the cross after the actor commented that she was being “crucified” by the press for her scantily clad role in One Million Years BC. O’Neill said he was too scared to publish the picture of Welch in a leather bikini on the cross until he came across it in his portfolio 30 years later.

The French-Algerian artist Zoulikha Bouabdellah and the Kazakhstani Zoya Falkova make powerful statements about the status of women in their respective countries. Bouabdellah’s Silence Rouge et Blue consists of 30 prayer mats, each adorned with a pair of sequinned stillettoes.

In a comment on male violence, Falkova’s Evermust consists of a black leather boxer’s punchbag, except her version is in the shape of a woman’s torso. Evermust was exhibited at the first “Feminnale” of contemporary art at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, but was among several works the government ordered to be taken down after the exhibition caused controversy.

Many works satirise politicians, such as Illma Gore’s portrayal of a naked Donald Trump with a tiny penis in Make America Great Again, Fabián Cháirez’s portrait of the Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata in a pink sombrero and high heels or Eugenio Merino’s irresistibly hilarious portrayal of the dictator Francisco Franco dressed in full military uniform inside a vending machine.

Some works are critiques of consumer society, such as Yoshua Okón’s video loop Freedom Fries: Still Life. The viewer looks out from inside a McDonald’s restaurant across a table on which lies an obese, naked person, while outside someone is cleaning the windows.

The work was withdrawn from an exhibition at the Tin Tabernacle gallery in London in 2014 because the museum felt it was not “suitable for the space”.

In Ai Weiwei’s case, the offended party was Lego. Ai used Lego bricks to create portraits of four famous Italians who had been imprisoned or exiled for their beliefs: Filippo Strozzi, Dante Alighieri, Girolamo Savonarola and Galileo Galilei. The portraits were exhibited in Florence in 2016, along with balloons symbolising 21st–century migrants and refugees.

In 2015, Ai publicly criticised Lego for refusing a bulk order of Lego bricks on the grounds that their policy on the use of Lego in artworks was that “the motive(s) cannot contain any political … statements”.

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Art

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

Published

6 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

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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

1 month 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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