Art

City of Markham apologizes after cancelling public artwork featuring queer subject in drag – CBC.ca

Published

11 months ago

October 24, 2023

The City of Markham’s sudden, last-minute cancellation of a piece of public artwork one year in the making has the artist — and his subject — concerned about censorship.

In early September, Vancouver-based artist Julian Yi-Zhong Hou was scheduled to install a piece called “Bicycle” on the exterior of the Pan Am Centre sports complex in downtown Markham for a five-month period.

The printed vinyl banner, which measures 127 feet by 30 feet, features a person in drag and was to be unveiled at an event featuring local drag queens, artists and other performers. Then — one day before the installation and over the objections of Markham’s own public art curator — the city cancelled.

At the time, it released a statement that did not offer an explanation but simply said the city had “made a determination not to proceed.”

In the month since, Hou, his collaborators, and supporters, say that’s all they’ve been able to find out.

As a result, they say they’ve been left to speculate that it was a political decision that stifles free expression and was motivated by fear of a community backlash given the piece represents a queer person with a non-traditional gender identity.

“Cancelling a large-scale, highly-visible artwork that features a subject in drag should require an explanation, if only to make clear that they aren’t simply repeating a history of stifling public representation of marginalized people,” said Hou.

“It was just very confusing and seemed very disrespectful to myself, but also the curator and everybody else that was involved in the process.”

Julian Yi-Zhong Hou was commissioned by the City of Markham’s public art curator to produce the inaugural artwork for the city’s Façade art program. (Emmanuel Etti)

The cancellation comes amid a political climate in Canada and the U.S. of rising hostility toward drag performers and the LGBTQ2S+ community at large. Protestors have repeatedly targeted drag storytime events in recent months, while Statistics Canada data shows police-reported hate crimes related to sexual orientation in Canada rose 90 per cent between 2020 and 2022.

James Albers, another Vancouver-based artist who is the subject of the piece, called the city’s decision “an act of censorship against my queer body.”

Albers, who identifies as gender fluid, meaning their gender identity fluctuates, said it’s a missed opportunity to show support for the LGBTQ2S+ community.

“We had this opportunity to have a person in drag be on this large billboard to kind of like, you know, be loud and proud and show that these people do exist and these practices do exist,” Albers said.

“It was just like a major loss for that possibility.”

Image resulted from yearlong curatorial process

In summer 2022, Markham’s public art curator, Yan Wu, approached Hou to take part in the Façade Public Art program, which would explore “the identity of Markham,” according to emails shared with CBC Toronto.

Hou’s piece was meant to be the inaugural piece launching a two-year collaborative public art project with the Art Gallery of York University.

He said he decided to use the Daoist yin-yang concept to structure the piece and to reflect his “fractured identity” as a Chinese Canadian.

“I began thinking about different models and different kinds of people basically that could sort of represent some of these ideas of a fragmented identity,” he said. “It led … into thinking more in terms of like the differences of gender performance and gender fluidity, and also thinking about the binaries of gender.”

Hou recruited his friend Albers, who performs in drag using the moniker Lady Boi Bangkok, to model for the work.

The final piece of art shows mirrored images of Albers as both themself and their drag persona. On the right side of the image, Albers is pictured on all fours in only underwear and a bandana. On the left side, Albers is shown lying on their side, wearing a baseball hat and jersey, diamond tights and high-heeled shoes.

We had this opportunity to have a person in drag be on this large billboard to kind of like, you know, be loud and proud… It was just like a major loss for that possibility.– James Albers, Vancouver-based artist

Scattered throughout are objects, symbols and spiritual references to Chinese and Western culture, which function “as a bridge between cultures common to Markham, (Albers’) mixed ancestry, and my own identity as a Chinese-born Canadian,” according to a description of the work.

Hou worked closely with the city’s curator, Wu, throughout the yearlong creative process. In April 2023, he shared a draft of the image with her that closely resembles the final piece.

At no point were any concerns raised, Hou said, and he was under the impression the piece had been approved at the highest levels of the city.

“I could imagine it being challenging, but I’m a bit surprised that it was cancelled,” he said.

Wu said she’s “deeply disappointed” in the cancellation.

“The decision came from City of Markham upper management. I have not received any information about the decision-making process,” she said via email.

Public art must be ‘inclusive and sensitive to all,’ city says

Following repeated inquiries, a senior city spokesperson shared a statement with CBC Toronto on Monday that says the city has a duty to ensure publicly-commissioned art that’s displayed in municipal space is “inclusive and sensitive to all.”

“With this as our guide, the decision was made that the artwork was not suitable for its intended location,” the statement said.

The spokesperson acknowledged the city’s decision came late in the process and apologized to the artist and event participants. The artwork and cancelled launch event have cost the city $40,000, the city said.

Per the statement, city staff have started an internal review of the Façade art program “to ensure publicly procured art aligns with their planned display location.”

While the city said it’s committed to working with the artist to find an “alternative opportunity” to unveil and display the artwork, Hou said the city has yet to reach out to him.

Grant Peckford, a former board member of York Pride who was recruited to emcee the launch event, said he’s disappointed with how the city handled the issue.

“I just think it really is important for people making these decisions to look at the bigger picture and understand the impact that these decisions have, not only on their community but their staff and the other stakeholders,” Peckford said.

“That is the huge disappointment to me.”

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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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