Art

Mural flap shows divide in Fredericton art community, says artist – CBC.ca

Published

4 years ago

March 15, 2021

One of the artists who painted new murals in downtown Fredericton says many members of the public love them, even if some members of the city’s arts and culture advisory committee are less than impressed.

Laura Forrester and fellow artist Penny Heather painted several murals last summer, including one at the River Stone Recovery Centre on King Street.

The committee made an example of it in its annual report to council last week, which called for better planning and quality control.

“I was completely blindsided,” said Forrester.

The River Stone mural was a private commission, she said.

The building owner approved the design, said Forrester, and hundreds of others sent her positive feedback about it.

She described the committee presentation that singled out her work as “very problematic.”

It compared the River Stone mural to a “giant, sensational mural” done in Montreal by multiple artists, over many weeks with a huge budget.

The Fredericton arts advisory committee contrasted these images in its presentation to city council under the heading: “They need to be conceived and undertaken by a professional muralist (who understands scale, perspective and composition).” (City of Fredericton)

“It’s apples and oranges,” she said.

“Using it as a way to talk about the skill level of the artist isn’t fair. We did what we were hired to do.”

Forrester said she’s glad this came up because it raises an important issue.

“These are conversations that are worth having. There’s a divide in the art community in Fredericton. This has exposed cracks in terms of who gets to make the decisions about where the funding goes and who gets to have access to the opportunities.”

“We have to be very careful that we’re not saying just because you have a smaller budget the art that you decide to put on your wall is not good enough. Then you’re alienating a whole, you know, you’re making it unaccessible for people who don’t have huge budgets.”

In general, said Forrester, the arts community in Fredericton is “huge and supportive.”

But funding should be more evenly spread out, she said.

“There’s a whole subculture here that goes beyond the galleries — not that the galleries aren’t important. They’re so important. But the art community is so much more than that and often is completely overlooked and often delegitimized.”

The advisory committee’s presentation listed the mural situation in the city as a “challenge.”

It said “locations need planning and context.”

The arts committee used this picture as an example of how murals “need to make sense with and use the inherent architecture of the building.” (City of Fredericton.)

Murals “need to be conceived and undertaken by a professional…who understands scale, perspective and composition.”

“They need to make sense with and use the inherent architecture of the building.”

And “less is more.” The growing number of murals downtown may diminish each piece’s impact.

The advisory committee has 15 members.

There are representatives from city council, The Beaverbrook Art Gallery, The Playhouse, Theatre New Brunswick, The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, the UNB Arts Centre, Craft NB, government and First Nation departments and agencies and the business community.

CBC reached out to a few of the members Monday. They declined to give interviews.

A brief statement issued Friday, in the wake of a backlash on social media, apologized for any hurt caused by the presentation.

This image was shown as an example of planning murals in the context of an area. (City of Fredericton)

“It was not intended to question the integrity or the work of any artist,” said the emailed statement.

The committee was pointing out the increase in the number of murals “in high profile public spaces and on heritage buildings.”

It said murals are essentially public art and deserve some attention from council.

Committee chair Kate Rogers said she loves “the vibrancy and colour” of the murals and hopes the committee can “find many opportunities to present the work of local artists throughout the city in a way that is inclusive, celebratory, and sustainable.”

This mural was recently painted on the pedway at the end of Carleton Street. (Mike Heenan)

Forrester agreed that it’s important to have policies about public art, especially when it comes to heritage buildings.

But she said the walls that she and Heather painted were previously “neglected, graffitied or run-down.”

“They look better now,” she said.

Forrester said the advisory committee seems to want control over who gets to paint what murals where and when.

That’s “fine” for publicly owned spaces or publicly funded projects, she said.

But she said private businesses exercise their own form of quality control.

“They have a back and forth discussion before the paint hits the wall.”

She suggested the committee’s tastes are narrower than the public’s.

“I do understand that it does become part of the framework of the city. But I think that’s ok. And I think that’s exciting. And I think if you look at the way the public are responding to the murals that are there already, the general public are very responsive in a very positive way.”

Information Morning – Fredericton12:46Mural controversy

A controversy has erupted over the value of public murals in the city’s downtown. Laura Forrester is a working artist in Fredericton who has created a number of those murals. 12:46

“I don’t think every corner and wall needs one, but there’s definitely some space. There’s lots of walls in Fredericton.”

And if there turns out to be a major problem with a privately commissioned mural, she said, it’s not hard to fix.

“It’s just paint,” she said.

“If it’s offensive it can be painted over.”

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

Published

3 days 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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