Art

Art reinvention planned for walls of the Leuty Boathouse this week – Beach Metro Community News – Beach Metro News

Published

3 years ago

September 7, 2021

From left, Sapphira Charles, Lisa Rochon and Ginetta Peters at the Leuty Boathouse. A mural arts project for the inside walls of the boathouse featuring works by Chief Lady Bird and Jacquie Comrie begins this week. Photo by Alan Shackleton.

By AMANDA GIBB

The Leuty Boathouse in the Beach is slated for an art reinvention this month when BIPOC artists Jacquie Comrie and Chief Lady Bird start painting and spray painting epic murals on the boathouse’s interior walls.

The Leuty Boathouse mural project’s inception was driven by a jury of three women: local architect and founder of the Beachers for Black Lives Movement, Sapphira Charles; Ginetta Peters, a landscape designer who also works with the David Suzuki Foundation; and Lisa Rochon, an urban designer and author who has juried many Winter Stations’ competitions, and collaborated with Indigenous womxn artists and designers to create the Red Embers installation.

All members of the jury are long-time friends and collaborators with Friends of the Beach Parks, a group of local residents dedicated to enhancing and animating parks in the area.

Rochon, who spoke on behalf of the other two jury members, said that the process of getting the Leuty Boathouse project off the ground started after they met last summer to discuss and research the boathouse and its 100-year history.

“We were all aligned from the beginning, so the process has been very seamless, it seems. It’s certainly required a lot of work but it was quite delightful in the beginning stages,” said Rochon.

The three reviewed mural artists’ portfolios with the help of STEPS, and the jury unanimously agreed to select Chief Lady Bird and Comrie for the project.

The team applied for funding from Street Art Toronto, (StART) a suite of programs that aim to make city streets beautiful by showcasing local artists, mentor emerging talent, and reduce vandalism and replace it with “vibrant, colourful, community-engaged street art.”

“There was a great alignment from the beginning between Sapphira, Ginetta, and I, and an amazing sense of collaboration between Jacquie and Chief Lady Bird. They were highly enthusiastic…Every person and agency has been absolutely fully endorsing and enthusiastic about the mural project, including the City of Toronto and Parks and Rec, even at a local level,” said Rochon.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beach neighbourhood saw an increase in foot traffic as Toronto residents sought out nature and exercise with the lake as a backdrop.

Charles, who led #blacklivesmatter marches in the Beach last year following the violent death of George Floyd, said in a press release that “Creating safe spaces where all people feel a sense of belonging is vitally important for mental wellness and self-esteem.”

Comrie’s work features the use of vibrant colours and shapes that breathe life into her art.

She said that “Colour is the universal language of human emotion. It is scientifically known to positively affect brain function, emotional and mental health.”

Chief Lady Bird, an OCAD graduate and a Chippewa and Potawatomi artist from Rama First Nation and Moose Deer Point First Nation, described her work as “continually shapeshifting… an exploration of self-love, lateral love, ancestral love,” in a press release.

Rochon said both artists have been thinking about the project and the Leuty Boathouse murals for several months.

“We wanted to showcase the talents and work of womxn artists in a high-profile place in the Beaches, but equally we wanted to educate and enlighten about Indigenous culture and the need for mental health awareness. It’s not really about being heavy-handed about those messages but to engage people through art, to listen and allow other cultures to be heard. It’s a way of seducing people into greater knowledge and education about Indigenous and Black culture,” said Rochon.

She said that OCAD graduate and Matthew Tribe was specially selected to prime the walls as a way to bring an aspiring muralist into the project. The primer paint is sponsored by Dulux Paints.

Rochon said the murals are the first phase of the project, and the second phase would entail the painting of the structural columns and upper valences of the Leuty Boathouse.

“For too long, the voices of Black and Indigenous peoples have been absent from public art in the Beaches and many other Toronto neighbourhoods. The Leuty project is about challenging convention to put powerful BIPOC creatives out front for a change,” said Rochon.

Painting of the murals will begin this week.

There is a mentorship meet-up slated for Friday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. on site at the Leuty Boathouse for aspiring muralists with Comrie and Chief Lady Bird.

Charles, Peters, and Rochon said they are “thrilled to champion the powerful public art of Chief Lady Bird and Jacquie Comrie, both are immensely talented art stars.”

The unveiling of the murals is slated for the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 12, at approximately 3 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to come to the unveiling ceremony and celebrate the completion of the mural project.

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Art

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

Published

1 day 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

4 weeks 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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