Our Summer Spotlight series highlights some Ottawa residents who strive to build a better community. Today, Brigitte Pellerin speaks with Norman Takeuchi.
Art
Q & A: Ottawa’s Norman Takeuchi on how art can bring people together
Recently named to the Order of Canada, the much-admired painter also shares some sober thoughts about how this country has treated Japanese Canadians.
Q. Tell us a little bit about you. How did you come to be in Ottawa? And what’s keeping you here?
When I graduated from the Vancouver School of Art, I got a job in the advertising industry for a little while. And then I got an arts grant, which made me decide to go to London, England, to paint for a year. That was 1962.
When it was time for me to come back home, I needed to find a job. I got in touch with my former employer who said that there was nothing going on in Vancouver, why not try Ottawa because they were looking for designers to work on the Canadian Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal. I got that job as one of the exhibition designers for the pavilion. I never went back to Vancouver. It was one of the best things I ever did.
Q. You were recently appointed to the Order of Canada for your “enduring commitment to honouring, preserving and sharing the history and heritage of Japanese Canadians.” Tell us a little bit more about that history and heritage?
I think that people should know more about the history of what happened to Japanese-Canadians during the Second World War, when Canada went to war against Japan.
Nevertheless, the government invoked the War Measures Act, which gave them the right to uproot Japanese people on the West Coast and send them off to internment camps. And label them as enemy aliens which was, of course, a huge demeaning blow to the Japanese people. They sent off 22,000 Japanese people to internment camps and they weren’t allowed to come back to the West Coast until a few years after the war ended. It’s a very grim and dark chapter in our history that not many people know.
Q. Many people in our society today think that art is something of a luxury. First, you need to make sure your basic needs are covered: shelter, food, clothing and so on. Should we consider the arts a basic human need just like shelter, food and clothing?
Artists create different kinds of worlds that can only come out of a creative mind. And in doing that, I think that they can add so much more to the lives of people, so much beauty and meaning.
Q. Especially in a time when there’s a lot of political division, the arts can help bring people together — would you agree with that?
Yes, that’s a very good point. And I think it also makes people understand each other a little bit more, and by doing that, by understanding each other, there should be harmony between different groups, which seems to be lacking at this time.
Q. What do you think we in Ottawa could do to help young artists, especially young artists from minority communities, do well here?
One of the things is more public places to show their art or to perform their art. Ottawa has some, but I think there’s always room for more public support. Young people bring with them new ways of seeing and expressing themselves and we need to pay attention to that.
I wish I had taken more chances with some of the choices that I made in my career. One of the most important things that an artist can do in order to advance their career and their ability to produce as an artist is to take chances and take risks, despite the possibility of failure. It’s the only way to find something new to say and in the process find your own identity as an artist.
Q. You have the attention of everyone in Ottawa for one minute. What do you say?
I would say, pay more attention to the arts, go to the performances, go to the galleries, read books, and listen to music. And generally enhance your life and learn. Enhance your life by bringing the kind of beauty that the arts bring, and bring it into your life. Make your life more enjoyable, and more meaningful.
Q. When you’re trying to relax, what do you do for fun?
I listen to music and read when I get a chance. I like to read fiction. And gardening is probably the one thing that helps me the most. In the wintertime, I love to curl.
(This Q and A has been lightly edited.)
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Do you know an Ottawa resident doing good work who should get some recognition? You can make a suggestion for our “Summer Spotlight” series by emailing our letters editor, at letters@ottawacitizen.com
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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.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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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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