Art

Chatham-Kent loses art community ‘pillar’ Leonard Jubenville at 82

Published

8 months ago

January 4, 2024

The late Leonard Jubenville is seen here speaking to those attending a retrospective of his art work, held at the Thames Art Gallery in January 2023. (Karen Robinet photo)

The local art community has lost a leader, character and “Renaissance man” who showed other local artists how to succeed beyond Chatham-Kent.

Leonard Jubenville, a former curator of the Thames Art Gallery, died Dec. 27 at age 82.

Jubenville, who graduated from the Ontario College of the Arts in the 1960s, spent decades painting with many of his works featured in galleries in Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, London and Hamilton.

Longtime friend and fellow artist Mike Ondrovcik believes Jubenville’s “persistence” and determination to produce the finest work influenced local artists.

He showed local artists you could succeed outside Chatham-Kent, “if you worked hard and you were true to your creative vision,” Ondrovcik said.

Though Jubenville had success at a higher level, he was a founding board member of ARTspace and participated in every group show at the local exhibition space, said LaurIe Langford, another another longtime friend and fellow artist.

“He was one of the pillars of our art community and he’s going to be really missed,” Langford said.

Ondrovcik, who met Jubenville while working part-time at the former Windmill Arts store as a high schooler, says he was already the consummate artist back then. His “fantastic” early still lifes “were just so detailed.”

Ondrovcik also recalled the many good times had when Jubenville rented studio space from him in downtown Chatham in the late 1980s and early ’90s.

“There was a lot going on (in the local art community),” Ondrovcik said. “I wish there was that much going on today.

“It’s really gone down a bit and without Leonard being a cornerstone and pushing, its going go down further,” he added.

As Thames Art Gallery curator, Jubenville often pushed the envelope “as much as he was allowed before somebody would rein him in and then he’d fight about it anyway,” Ondrovcik said.

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And Jubenville loved a good argument, he added with a laugh. “He was a character . . . whether you agreed with him or not, he would argue the point – until the end.”

Carl Lavoy, who was hired by Jubenville as the gallery’s program co-ordinator and later become its curator, called Jubenville a “very complex person,” who loved both art and quantum physics, and had a passion for farming.

Lavoy believes a self-portrait with Jubenville in the middle surrounded by his farm and land, a DNA strand and the cosmos captures the “paradox that was Leonard Jubenville.”

“He was his own person and I don’t think he really cared that much about what people thought of him,” added Lavoy, who visited Jubenville recently.

“I just wanted to let him know how much I appreciated all the things he had done for me when he was at the gallery,” Lavoy said. “He was a good person . . . straight up and honest.”

Langford and fellow artist Tracy Root helped bring a retrospective of Jubenville’s work to the gallery last January as a homecoming.

“It was a fantastic show,” Langford said. “We were very happy that we were finally able to give him the accolades, locally, that he deserved.”

Jubenville was known for his Chatham-Kent landscapes, but those around Highway 401 and overpasses received great accolades, Langford said.

A graduate of the University of Windsor’s cultural anthropology program, Jubenville also was known as a “fearsome” director with Theatre Kent and a creative, inventive set designer, states his obituary.

Jubenville was “a Renaissance man,” good at many things, Langford said. “He was incredibly creative and incredibly visionary and there’s never, ever going to be another Leonard.”

Jubenville is survived by his wife, Sharon, two children and one grandchild, his obituary said.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Thames Art Gallery, it said.

A celebration of his life will be held later.

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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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