Art
New art this week brings diversity to Drinkle Building wall – Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
“There’s so much untapped creativity in the city that can make things beautiful — we just have to creatively enable the creators.”
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Created in 2020 by Drinkle Building owner Dave Denny, the Drinkle art wall spans the side of the Third Avenue building and down the alleyway toward Second Avenue, with the Paramount, the Rook and Raven and the Ferguson Block buildings also participating.
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With no rules and only guidelines forbidding hate and encouraging respect, the wall is open to all artists. Denny said they even receive international submissions.
This week, nearly 30 new pieces are being added to the wall, including works from Sherbrook Creative Arts, Future Artistic Minds and a Ukrainian war victim.
Denny chatted with the StarPhoenix about the project and these new submissions.
Q: What prompted you to start this art wall?
A: I think we have a philosophy to use art to activate the building. We really have done it since 2007, when we put up the seven faces and added all of the art downstairs in the mall. As we learned about street art, it just became obvious that we’ve got this massive wall — why aren’t we letting people use it?
Q: What’s your favourite thing about this project?
A: My favourite thing is meeting all of the artists. I’ve really gotten to know so many people that I wouldn’t have known otherwise. In fact, some of them have become tenants in the building. Some of them paint the inside of the building as well.
Almost every second time I walk past the wall, there’s somebody taking a photograph of themselves. We’ve had dance troops come and do dance videos in front of it. You feel like you’ve really done something for people when they’re just using it.
Q: How is this new installation unique?
A: What’s really special this time is the diversity of people. From a 100-year-old senior to a young graffiti writer, to a Ukrainian activist living under the bombs of Russia right now, to a woman in New Orleans who’s concerned about reproductive rights. We have a Cree artist, Brody Burns, and then probably one of the best street artists in North America, Wizwon, who is Métis.
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Q: What are you excited to see go up on the wall?
A: I think we’re gonna get a lot of real high quality stuff. We’ve got a giant head, it’s a three-dimensional head that was finished by a First Nations artist; it was done by a Czech artist originally, at the U of S. That head is going to have motion sensor eyeballs in it, and it’s going to point back in the alley. We’re also adding a bunch of lighting on the side of the building, just to brighten up and really activate our alleyway.
Q: What do you hope people take away from this project?
A: My biggest hope is that people realize that, through creativity, we can see how much we’re all alike, regardless of race or age or abilities. And there’s so much untapped creativity in the city that can make things beautiful — we just have to creatively enable the creators. If that became a political ideal, and people could use this to come together more, that would be what I hope people would get from this.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Art
Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork
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
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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
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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