Art

‘Pauline is unique’: patron of Emin and Hirst sells off vast Hydra art collection – The Guardian

Published

1 year ago

September 3, 2023

The contemporary artists and gallery owners invited to collector Pauline Karpidas’s summer “workshops” on the Greek island of Hydra were given a brief but simple itinerary. “There is little required from you other than an engagement with art and guests: sunbathe, gossip and swim,” their host would advise.

Pictures showed the lucky recipients of such invitations – who included Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, Damien Hirst and Grayson Perry – doing just that.

For the past 50 years, the Manchester-born Karpidas has been more than a kindly host; as a generous patron of the arts she is described as “unique” and Europe’s equivalent of the late American collector Marguerite “Peggy” Guggenheim.

Now more than 300 works from her collection – many by the artists she supported – that are stored at the Hydra home she shared with her late husband, the Greek engineer and businessman Constantinos “Dino” Karpidas, are to be sold at auction. They include sculptures by the French artists Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, works by Emin, Lucas and Hirst and photographs by Nan Goldin.

“Pauline has been actively engaged in the pursuit and support of younger galleries, recognising their need for patronage,” said Sadie Coles, whose contemporary art gallery in London represents 50 international artists. “There is no comparison to other collectors: Pauline is unique, she is different, she is the grande dame who kicks her shoes off and joins the dance.”

Karpidas, 80, moved from Manchester to London in her early 20s after studying at secretarial school but then relocated to Greece where she opened a clothing boutique in Athens called My Fair Lady. It was here that she met her future husband, whose interest in art was more classic and included works by Renoir and Picasso.

In an interview with Sotheby’s French magazine, Karpidas told how she first visited Hydra in the early 1960s and immediately fell in love with the craggy island. “I was in Athens for a wedding and thought I’d visit the nearby islands,” she said. “After that, I kept coming back to swim off the rocks.”

Oliver Barker, the chair of Sotheby’s Europe, whichis overseeing the auction, said: “Pauline is an absolutely key figure in the contemporary art world. She comes from a very modest background but has that incredible working class work ethic and is entirely self taught. Her husband gave her the means to start collecting.”

Karpidas persuaded Alexander Iolas, the world-renowned collector and gallerist who was René Magritte’s dealer and was credited with discovering Andy Warhol, to come out of retirement to advise her.

“The story goes that the condition for him advising her was that she put money in escrow to show she was serious about collecting,” Barker said.

“With Iolas’s help, Pauline then went out and assembled one of the great post-war art collections … Pauline had an innate sense of being able to spot incredible works before anyone else. She read up about art and went by gut feeling. It was a very instinctive way of collecting.”

The house in Hydra was sold earlier this year.

A group of artists outside a restaurant in Hydra

Karpidas has been a benefactor of the Tate in London for many years and supported an education centre at the New Museum in New York. Little is known of her outside of the art world and she rarely, if ever, gives interviews. In 2009, she sold Warhol’s 200 One Dollar Bills painting in New York for more than $43m, the second highest price paid for one of the artist’s works. She and her husband had acquired the work in 1986 for $385,000.

In the brochure for the upcoming auction, she said: “I’ll never forget one of the first pieces of advice that Iolas gave to me: ‘In order for you to understand what emerged in the 20th century you must visit every museum in every town you visit, read the biographies of the artists and meet all the curators, gallerists and dealers’ – words that I will always remember and have endeavoured to stick by.”

David Gill, who owns a gallery in London, said: “Like Maecenas in the past or Edward James or Peggy Guggenheim, Pauline was always very involved with the artists and the designs she commissioned. This has given her collection a very personal and unique identity. Always avant-garde.”

“Pauline Karpidas’s collection speaks of a life lived with beauty,” added Mario Tavella, president of Sotheby’s France where the auction is being held.

Karpidas now lives in the US, where her son Panos is based. The auction takes place on 30-31 October at Sotheby’s in Paris.

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

Published

17 hours 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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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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