Art

Art part of healing for Kamsack woman – Yorkton This Week

Published

4 years ago

December 19, 2020

Art came to Anna Maria Markopoulou later in life and now she is exploring just where the muse might take her work.
Originally from Athens, Greece, Markopoulou would move to Canada in 2008.
“I was coming from Greece in 2008 and I was going towards Vancouver,” she said, but life took her on a detour, a detour that included having to deal with breast cancer, and one that found her finally settling in Kamsack.
The detour also led to Markopoulou finding her artistic side.
“When I was sick and not able to work I started making arts and crafts in order to spend my time without thinking of cancer,” she said, adding it was actually following something of a family trait. “My grandfather was an artist and my father also. It runs in the family.”
Along the way Markopoulou made an interesting choice in terms of a ‘canvas’ for her paintings. She began using reclaimed barn wood.
“I like to work with wood,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s new or old, but I prefer the old, because I give a second chance to the wood, which people throw away.”
Not surprisingly Markopoulou was largely cathartic in nature.
“When I was sick and my psychology was very low, I started making angels and churches in order to lift up my spirit,” she said.
As Markopoulou recovered the scope of her art expanded, to the point her work is now for sale, a decision that did not come easily in the beginning.
“In the beginning I didn’t want to sell anything,” she said. “It was just for me.
“But in the summer of 2018, I put it out in the front yard of my house for other people just for enjoyment.
“But people asked me if I sell any of my work, and I start thinking about it.
“Since they appreciate it, I start selling at a symbolic price.
“Whatever I do about my work of art and craft is not to make money, it’s to give pleasure.”
And there are times Markopoulou in a sense pays her art forward too.
“Sometimes I like to donate things that I create to people that went through the same illness,” she said.
A recurring theme in Markopoulou’s work at present is the feather.
“In the world of art,whatever the artist feels,the artist creates,” she said when asked about the significance of the feather. “Since I’m living in a native area I was influenced by this category of art.
“But also in Europe they have this kind of feather art, with various colours; like Natives and Gypsies; Boho.
“I put bright colours in my art because it gives me energy – positive thinking.”
As for inspiration Markopoulou takes it from wherever it happens to poke its head.
“Sometimes they come into my mind, other times as I’m walking I might see something, or online and I put more into the theme or subject,” she said.
“The colours of feathers I prefer to be a bright and happy and not depressed. We have a lot of depressing things and problems in our lives.”
While many of Markopoulou’s current works are of feathers, they are not necessarily her preferred subject matter.
“I like to paint farms, but most of all I like to paint boats, and sea, lighthouses and harbours,” she said. “But I do anything that brings me a good feeling inside me, because whatever I feel it has to come out at the time I create.”

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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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