Art

Success: Art, activism intersect in the work of Ra'anaa Ekudiayo – Sudbury.com

Published

2 years ago

September 8, 2022

When you speak to Ra’anaa Yaminah Ekudiayo (formerly Brown), you get excited about whatever she is discussing. It’s impossible not to, she is passionate about everything she is doing. And for Ekudiayo, those passions are art, and activism.

One she had to find her own path to; the other, she feels, was forced upon her.

“I feel like activism, especially people of colour and other marginalized folks, is definitely something we’re thrown into,” said Ekudiayo. “Because you get to a point in life where you kind of have to be your own activist, or you’re going to be severely depressed. And I mean, we’re still severely depressed, even though we’re fighting for ourselves.”

Ekudiayo was born in southern Ontario and came to Sudbury in 2014 for schooling, completing a master’s degree from the McEwen School of Architecture before pursuing her PhD at Concordia University in Montreal, where she is now living.

But it was here in Sudbury that both her art and her activism truly ignited.

While Ekudiayo, who is transitioning away from her last name ‘Brown’ in order to avoid its colonial implications, had always a love of art, and painting specifically, she didn’t know she could be an artist until she met a group of artists during her studies.

They encouraged her not just to curate shows, as she did in 2020 with the Up Here festival, but to create her own work. Not only did Ekudiayo begin to help organize art shows like the McEwen Nuit Blanche, she has now moved to working with artists’ collective Solaris (alongside artists Sonia Ekiyor-Katimi, Isak Vaillancourt) for a show at Sudbury’s Amberhill Gallery and is now with non-profit Steps Public Art as a CreateSpace artist-in-residence.

Part of the awakening from curator into artist is realizing art comes in many forms.

“I really started to get enamored with this idea of art being this immersive experience, like you’re inside the art, you’re inhabiting the art, you’re part of the art, you’re you’re part of the story that you’re telling,” she said. “I think I’ve definitely gotten to this point now where I’m like, ‘I can create art for me, and not everyone’s gonna like it, but to me, it’s art’.”

What she also found in Sudbury was a community. But it was a community she discovered out of tragedy.

Ekudiayo is Black, born of parents with Jamaican and Caribbean ancestry, and coming to Sudbury she didn’t immediately find many other people of colour, let alone other Black people. But after the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and Regis Korchinski-Paquette, Black Lives Matter formed, co-founded by Ekudiayo, a group for which she now serves as president.

It was activism thrust upon her, but also, she said, a chance to meet the rest of her community of colour in Sudbury. Through her work with BLM Sudbury, from Black Arts Festivals to protest rallies, she has solidified her understanding of herself and her place in the world.

She couldn’t find a Black supervisor for her master’s degree, written on a highly racialized topic — the effects of architecture on segregation in the Southside of Chicago — so she became her own expert in the area.

But now, she hopes to channel that into teaching, which she will begin doing at the McEwen School of Architecture in January of 2023. Because of her ADHD diagnosis, Ekudiayo places on being mindful of students learning at different levels and speeds, but she also hopes to open to all what she considers colonial learning environments.

“That is something that I really want to start bringing to academia as I continue to grow within the profession,” she said. “It’s important to remember it’s okay for us (marginalized groups) to not fit in within these systems, because they weren’t designed for us. And I think creating new spaces is something that is so beautiful, creating different systems that we can thrive, in systems that we can function within. It’s important to know that we can put these things in place for ourselves, and we can take care of ourselves.”

Ekudiayo said she hopes that as new BIPOC students come into academia, that they will do something it took her a long time to do: not shy away from the spotlight.

“I hope that they know that they can take up space, and they should take up space and have access to take up space,” she said. “Because that was one of the hardest things for me as a black woman, always thinking ‘I shouldn’t say much, I shouldn’t take my space, I’m just going to participate in these colonial bodies that already exist and participate in these institutions.”

But that all changed for Ekudiayo, and she said that is the key to her success. “It’s okay to go out and create your own thing. It’s important to find your community to connect with other individuals, and it’s okay to realize that you don’t fit in within these systems and create a new one for yourself.”

Jenny Lamothe is a reporter at Sudbury.com. Success is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.

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Art

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

Published

10 hours 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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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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