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Art Battle gives you 20 minutes to paint a masterpiece — and the audience decides who wins

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1 year ago

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Overhead shot of painters standing at easels, painting rapidly, with colourful splashes of paint all over the floor.
Art Battle Day 2014 in Collingwood, Ontario, where competitors vied for that year’s national championship. (Art Battle International/artbattle.com)

The Art Battle format is simple. Artists paint live in front of an audience. They have 20 minutes to complete their painting. And whoever the audience likes best wins.

The original idea, says co-founder Simon Plashkes, was kind of an exercise in democracy. When the event series was started back in 2009, he says, the goal was to let an audience decide who the best artist is, rather than “the ivory towers and the gated galleries.”

In the intervening decade-and-change since its founding, the Battle has gone national — starting with events in Vancouver and Halifax in 2011 — and then international, after merging with a group in New York that was doing something similar. This year’s Canadian National Championship, featuring artists who won regional competitions across the country, will take place at The Great Hall in Toronto.

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The competition will consist of two 20-minute rounds and one 30-minute round. Winners will get $2,500 and a place at the World Championship. The Toronto championship will also have legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Lanois and his band help set the stage sonically.

The artists come from a variety of backgrounds. They include both self-taught and formally trained artists, as well as people who work primarily in other media — including things like animation and tattooing — who have branched out into competitive painting.

“Anybody who’s at that [national championship] level, they have incredible fundamental artistic skills,” says Plashkes. “But also with timed competition, there’s a lot of interesting dynamics that come out. There’s an element of showmanship strategy… You definitely need some kind of an ‘aha’ moment in your work.”

Jace Junggyu Kim qualified after winning a regional competition in Vancouver. Kim says he’s been drawing his entire life and started his professional career as an animator, but after a while, he found himself chafing at the restrictions of his career. He started participating in Art Battle as a way of introducing himself to the Vancouver art scene.

“I wanted creative freedom,” he says.

Kim says that he has a secret weapon when it comes to competitive painting: he’s ambidextrous, using both hands at the same time. Growing up in Korea — where he lived until moving to British Columbia at 15 — his mom tried to make the naturally left-handed Kim right-handed, fearing that he’d be discriminated against. Instead, the training made it so that he can use both.

Kim says that the two hands operate differently. “My genuine expression is always with my left hand; I use my right for more sort of didactic [work],” he explains.

Audiences, he says, always respond well to his work.

“A lot of people appreciate the process,” he says. “One of the great things about our model is people being able to witness what is being done, and then they can appreciate the work more… They actually integrate their experience so that they’re understanding the work better.”

Kervens Fils had to take the long road to the National Championship. After finishing second at a Montreal qualifier, the St-Lambert, Que.-based artist decided to take another kick at the can at an event in Quebec City, where he won and punched his ticket to Toronto. Fils has a day job doing a very different sort of art: he’s been working as a tattooist for 10 years. He says he started doing oil paintings six or seven years ago, just as an additional challenge.

Fils says his secret to Art Battle success is practice. More specifically, he gets ready by doing 10-minute paintings at home. By the time he’s ready to compete, the Battle’s 20-minute clock feels downright luxurious.

“The extra 10 minutes can just be for finishing touches and stuff,” he says, adding that his strategy is to “avoid details at the beginning, start roughly, and then just put the details at the end.”

An audience surrounds a group of people painting on canvasses.
A photo of the 2016 Art Battle Canadian National Championships, which took place at the Art Gallery of Ontario on July 20, 2016. (Art Battle International)

Win or lose, however, Fils says the best part about Art Battle is how — as someone who doesn’t usually work in traditional art media — it’s allowed him to connect to a larger community of like-minded artists.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet people, to meet new artists and put yourself out there,” he says. “I’m not really a ‘people person,’ but Art Battle really helps with connecting people.”

 

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

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9 hours ago

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September 13, 2024

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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.

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

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2 weeks ago

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September 2, 2024

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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

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4 weeks ago

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August 18, 2024

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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.

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