Art

Manitoba man who spent decades behind bars turned to art to heal in prison

Published

2 years ago

February 16, 2023

A Manitoba man who is getting another chance to overturn his murder convictions after 25 years in prison says his art and connecting with his culture helped get him through the decades behind bars.

Robert Sanderson was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder in 1997 and was sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 25 years in connection with the killing of three men the year prior.

“It was rough,” said Sanderson in a Monday interview with CBC News from Victoria, B.C.

“The first year, second year, third year, and it kept dragging on. Before you know it 10 years, 11 years have gone by. And that’s when you just figure, I’m going to be here for a long time. And I decided that’s when I was going to start making some changes and start doing something for myself.”

Sanderson taught himself to paint in prison, inspired by his Métis and Ojibway roots, all the while maintaining his innocence.

An Ojibway-style painting of a wolf howling at the moon. — Robert Sanderson taught himself to paint during his time in prison and calls it a form of therapy. (Submitted by Robert Sanderson)

“It was like therapy for me. I spent a lot of time with the elders and it was the elders and the close friends that helped me through a lot of stuff, stuck by my side and never gave up on me and helped me a lot,” he said.

“I harboured so much anger, so much hatred. And it was through my culture and working with the elders and doing ceremonies that I was able to somewhat forgive. I don’t have a lot of faith in the judicial system, but it’s helped me to get it out of my heart.”

For the last three years, the Métis man has been out on parole and living in the Vancouver area. Even outside of prison, Sanderson has found value in doing art, capturing the likeness of the Prairies and other elements of nature.

“It does help me emotionally. When I have stuff come up, I can always sit down and just get back in touch with nature,” he said.

Sanderson learned on Monday his case had been referred for a new hearing in the Manitoba Court of Appeal after federal Justice Minister David Lametti determined it likely involved a miscarriage of justice.

Police investigate a West Kildonan property where three people were killed in Winnipeg in 1996. Robert Sanderson was later found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 25 years. (CBC)

This decision comes after the Manitoba Court of Appeal dismissed Sanderson’s appeal in 1999, and he was denied leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada later that year, the Department of Justice said in a Monday news release.

Sanderson applied for a ministerial review of his case in 2017. The following year, his request to be released on bail pending completion of that review was denied. He was released on full parole shortly after that, the release said.

“I really thank [Lametti] for his decision. Obviously he’s going to make a lot of tough decisions, and I’m grateful for his decision, what he did,” Sanderson said.

Lametti’s decision is also welcomed by Innocence Canada, a non-profit organization that advocates for and works to exonerate people convicted of crimes they didn’t commit.

“I was very pleased. The minister’s decision is, I’m sure, the right one. And it was a relief to finally get the decision,” said founding director James Lockyer in a Monday interview.

“It’s been a long, long time — 27 years. But he’s made very good use of it. He’s become a remarkable Indigenous artist in painting, woodworking and sculpture.”

Lockyer says it would mean a lot to have Sanderson’s convictions overturned, even now that he’s out of prison, because it would mean he would not be on parole anymore.

A bison is pictured in an Ojibway-style painting — Robert Sanderson says his art connects him to nature and his culture. (Submitted by Robert Sanderson)

“But I think much more important than that is to get this donkey of these nasty convictions of first-degree murder off his back. He wants to clear his name. That’s what he wants to do, and we’re going to be there to try and help him do that,”
Lockyer said.

However, that won’t happen overnight. Lockyer estimates the process will take more than a year.

In the meantime, Sanderson says he has his art and a strong support network to get him through the tough days.

“The justice minister’s decision is a big step for me. That’s going to help in my journey. And that’s what I’m looking forward to is what comes next.”

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Art

A misspelled memorial to the Brontë sisters gets its dots back at last

Published

4 weeks ago

September 26, 2024

Anne Joseph

LONDON (AP) — With a few daubs of a paintbrush, the Brontë sisters have got their dots back.

More than eight decades after it was installed, a memorial to the three 19th-century sibling novelists in London’s Westminster Abbey was amended Thursday to restore the diaereses – the two dots over the e in their surname.

The dots — which indicate that the name is pronounced “brontay” rather than “bront” — were omitted when the stone tablet commemorating Charlotte, Emily and Anne was erected in the abbey’s Poets’ Corner in October 1939, just after the outbreak of World War II.

They were restored after Brontë historian Sharon Wright, editor of the Brontë Society Gazette, raised the issue with Dean of Westminster David Hoyle. The abbey asked its stonemason to tap in the dots and its conservator to paint them.

“There’s no paper record for anyone complaining about this or mentioning this, so I just wanted to put it right, really,” Wright said. “These three Yorkshire women deserve their place here, but they also deserve to have their name spelled correctly.”

It’s believed the writers’ Irish father Patrick changed the spelling of his surname from Brunty or Prunty when he went to university in England.

Raised on the wild Yorkshire moors, all three sisters died before they were 40, leaving enduring novels including Charlotte’s “Jane Eyre,” Emily’s “Wuthering Heights” and Anne’s “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.”

Rebecca Yorke, director of the Brontë Society, welcomed the restoration.

“As the Brontës and their work are loved and respected all over the world, it’s entirely appropriate that their name is spelled correctly on their memorial,” she said.

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Art

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

Published

1 month 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.