From a giant nose, a salmon made out of horseshoes to commentary on women’s oppression, this year’s public sculpture exhibition in Penticton is grabbing some well-deserved attention. If you haven’t taken a walk along Lakeshore Drive or up near City Hall to see what all the hub-bub is about — you should.
The 2022 art installations showcase eight pieces that dabble in all sorts of mediums from bronze to metal and multi-media. Kamloops artist William Frymire’s ‘Reflect and Connect’ metal orb is drawing plenty of intrigue this weekend, as passersby couldn’t resist looking through the ball into the middle and finding more inside.
All the sculptures are created by B.C. artists including Kaleden’s own Jean E. Ouellon’s “Pearl and Pandemic Salmon” made out of horseshoes. Ouellon said he worked on the salmon during
At the opening May 21, walking maps were distributed and artists were at their sculptures for the community to meet and ask questions about each piece.
From artist of “Reflect and Connect” he said his sphere focuses on ‘our interconnectedness and how individual perspectives shape our experiences. The textures and images on the orb represent personal viewpoints that cloud, or colour, our ability to see the world, represented by a reflective stainless steel orb.’
Another sculpture that is gaining lots of attention is Vancouver artist Ron Simmer’s ‘What Does the Nose Know’ located beside City Hall.
It almost looks as if the large nose and tinted glasses are hovering in mid-air.
According to Simmer’s “What does the Nose Know?” comments on the “nosiness” of corporations manipulating social media in our society. The dark lenses convey the element of secrecy and paranoia that seems to permeate all levels of government, military and industry in North America. “Big Brother is spying on us!” the artist wrote.
What satirical art piece has graced such iconic locations like Granville Island.
Another powerful piece along Lakeshore is Listen by Vancouver artist Stephanie Robicheau.
It almost looks as if it’s layers of Plexi-glass with two very striking images on either side.
“This piece expresses how the female voice has been oppressed, and endeavours to inspire women to speak, be heard and understood, and illuminates the courage needed to do so,” said Robicheau about her piece.
Established in 2016, Penticton’s Public Sculpture exhibition is a year-long event designed to showcase sculptures outdoors for the community to enjoy. This year’s exhibit will be on display from May 2022 to April 2023.
Kyle Thornley’s pine cones of “Ancient Wisdoms” will remain in the roundabout from last year.
To see each artists bio, a picture of their sculpture and a map where each one is located, click here.
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.
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.
