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Can a Mother Devote Her Life to Art?

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1 year ago

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“I love how the sun bleeds out” (all photos courtesy JoAnna Novak)

When I first discovered my favorite writer, I had a hard time separating my admiration for her work from my desire to emulate her life. I didn’t just want to write like her — I wanted to be like her, calling her “my blueprint.” Borderline idolatry to be sure, but I can’t help searching for guidance and assurance — if she could do it, so can I — in the lives of women I admire. This same impulse propels JoAnna Novak’s debut memoir, Contradiction Days: An Artist on the Verge of Motherhood, which traces the arc of her obsession with the artist Agnes Martin.

Novak, a writer, is five months pregnant with her first child when she decides to spend 18 days in the small town of Taos, New Mexico — where the reclusive Martin, who died in 2004, resided for many years — to immerse herself in Martin’s life and work. The goal: to harness in herself the artist’s trademark discipline and detachment. “I was here to be like Agnes Martin,” she declares as she settles into her rented high-desert casita, where she resolves to remain desk-bound and distraction-free.

On the cusp of her third trimester, Novak is at a crossroads, unable to reconcile her “schismatic identity: woman-who-puts-writing-first-and-never-wants-kid and pregnant-body.” Afraid motherhood will imperil her work, she’s drawn to Martin, who shed many of her attachments and obligations in order to lead a cloistered life devoted to art. “I realized that in Martin,” she writes, “I was looking for a way to see my own life anew.”

“Lucy crossing la cienaga on the Fred Baca Wetlands Nature Trail”

Holed up in Taos, Novak undertakes an experiment in solitude and art-making. But she dooms the experiment from the start by bringing along her husband. Although Martin urged artists to protect their “quiet state of mind,” Novak wonders, “Could a quiet state include a lover, a child?” I suspect that Martin would have scoffed at such a proposition. Yet the more Novak reads and writes about Martin, the more she realizes that Martin was not quite the rigid hermit she’d imagined and romanticized. The same Martin who declared in 1976 that “artists must of necessity be alone” also wrote in 1972 that “asceticism is a mistake.”

By the book’s end, Novak decides that laboring to remake herself in her hero’s image is counterproductive. “What if such extravagant pursuit of Martin’s ethos would simply keep me impoverished from my own?” she wonders, later admitting that this “was not the first time I had fit myself into another woman” and that she’ll likely “be drawn to myths like Martin’s forever.”

Novak is a superb writer, and at the heart of Contradiction Days is a compelling portrait of the artist as a pregnant woman whose body and identity are in flux. Yet for all her admiration of Martin’s alternative lifestyle, Novak doesn’t dig very deeply into why she’s made more traditional choices in her own life — the book would have benefited from more insights into her desire to have a child (beyond a vague concession to her husband that it “would enrich our lives”) and her decision to get married.

Of course wifedom and motherhood are not at odds with artistry. There is no single way to be an artist. What worked for Martin doesn’t work for Novak — or for most people, for that matter — and her time at Taos proves that admiration doesn’t necessitate imitation, that each artist must discover for herself the conditions under which she can best make art. There is no blueprint. There are only contradictions.

“View from the casita”

Contradiction Days: An Artist on the Verge of Motherhood by JoAnna Novak (2023) is published by Catapult and is available online and in bookstores.

 

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

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15 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

Published

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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