Art

Art project unmasks students' talents – The Catholic Register

Published

3 years ago

November 6, 2021

Hundreds of student-designed masks, photos, drawings and poems were on display through a series of digital projections across Toronto in late October to celebrate art and building community in a time of COVID-19.

Students, teachers and school administrators gathered outside for the evening art exhibitions at four sites in late October, including Msgr. Percy Johnson Catholic Secondary School, Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School, George Webster Elementary School and the grand finale at the Malting Silos on the Toronto waterfront. Spearheaded by educator and artist Kelvin Sealey, principal at CaST (City-as-School Toronto), the city-funded project called Mask4Aid received submissions from 15 Toronto schools.

At the beginning of the pandemic, for many, masks felt like an unusual addition to the daily wardrobe as they concealed parts of the face normally exposed. Through this art instalment, Sealey curates a reclaiming of the masks as tools for students’ individual expression during the time of virtual learning and social seclusion.

The projection of this pandemic art marks students’ re-emergence into in-person school life this fall, and the resumption of social interaction, albeit with masks still very much a part of everyday life.

For many, Sealey says taking in the exhibition was a moving experience that shone a “light in the darkness” of the COVID era.

“Several people said to me while they were viewing the art that they didn’t realize, and neither did I, that there was going to be so much emotion embedded in these shows, both through the poetry and through the art,” said Sealey. “You could literally feel what the students were feeling as they were making their art.

“When art is used as a tool to express one’s creativity and one’s identity in the midst of a collective that is a classroom, a school, a city, what you wind up seeing is a map of identity that tracks across the city.”

Jody Conley, senior art teacher at Marshal McLuhan, says projecting art on the school building was a powerful experience for students and staff. Under the theme of creating art around the five objects that got them through the pandemic, Conley received submissions in many different forms. A student’s ode to their mother working in health care was one of the standout submissions from the school.

Conley says students are still making art and remain very engaged in the mask project, which she hopes is a sign that the Mask4Aid initiative could continue well into the future.

“There are students that are still creating under the theme of the importance of the mask,” said Conley. “A lot of older people are saying it’s tough wearing them but for these kids, it’s just a part of who they are now, and they see it in art.”

When the call went out to the boards in September, teachers began contacting Sealey to say their schools were interested in being a projection site for the project. After Sealey received a permit to integrate the Malting Silos as a site for the installation, he amalgamated the art from four downtown schools for one all-inclusive projection evening which concluded the exhibition on Oct. 22.

One of the progressive things to have come from the pandemic, Sealey says, is the increase and greater investment in public art projects, which create opportunities to connect and engage around art. Mask4Aid was funded through the city’s ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021-2022 program, a year-long celebration of Toronto’s public art to support artists and projects that reflect Toronto’s diversity and create opportunities for greater public engagement.

Making art more accessible to a demographically and economically diverse audience is a trend Sealey hopes will continue.

“This has nothing to do with commerce, but only to do with enjoyment, it’s to do with culture, it’s to do with expression, it’s to do with identity,” said Sealey. “For Toronto to recognize that, as multicultural a city as it is and continues to be, I think it’s showing a degree of wisdom. To let young people express themselves and learn about others through art is I think a very good direction in which to take the city.”

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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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