Art

Remembering Haiti’s earthquake through art and conversation

Published

5 years ago

January 12, 2020

On the morning of Jan. 12, 2010, Frantz Voltaire met up with his cousin, Georges Anglade, for a coffee in his birth city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Just a few hours later, Voltaire hopped on an airplane and headed back to Montreal.

It was when he arrived that he first heard the news.

“We met in the morning not knowing that it was the last time,” said Voltaire.

Anglade and his wife were among the more than 230,000 people killed by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti that day. Voltaire himself had escaped the earthquake by mere hours.

Voltaire was one of many who exchanged stories of the earthquake through workshops, artwork, and panel discussions at the TOHU circus in Montreal Saturday. The event, called “Ayiti La,” was organized in collaboration with the Maison d’Haïti.

People from all walks of life told tales of heartbreak, hope and frustration, describing the ways in which the earthquake still has an impact on the country — and themselves — a decade later.

‘It was a shock’

Frantz Voltaire left Haiti a few hours before the earthquake hit in 2010. The destruction was such that when he returned years later, the place was unrecognizeable. (Franca Mignacca/CBC)

It took Voltaire years before he finally convinced himself to visit Port-au-Prince again. When he did, he could hardly recognize it. Even now, 10 years later, Voltaire fears it will never recover from the devastation.

“When I finally decided to go to Haiti, it was a shock,” said Voltaire.

“When you live in a city, you have some references, you have some landmarks. And you see more of the landmarks have disappeared.”

The cathedral he lived near, the national palace, and the school he attended as a child were all gone.

Haiti-Montreal connection

Jean Bonald Golinksy Fatal, head of a Haitian workers association, also spoke at the event Saturday. He was in Port-au-Prince at the time of the earthquake.

“I was on my way to my home, when I saw a woman on her knees in the streets, raising her hands and screaming,” said Fatal.

“It was at that moment that someone told me, ‘It’s an earthquake.'”

The connection between Haiti and Montreal is a strong one, says Jean Bonald Golinksy Fatal, who lives in Port-Au-Prince but visits Montreal often. (Franca Mignacca/CBC)

The damage was limited in Fatal’s neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, so it wasn’t until the next morning that he fully realized what had gone on.

“It was extremely serious, shocking, with bodies and people in the streets,” he said.

Though Fatal still lives in Port-au-Prince, he visits Montreal frequently, feeling a strong connection to the Haitian community in the city. At the event Saturday, he said he wanted to make sure that Montrealers never forget that Haiti still exists and is still important.

“There’s an extremely important link between Montreal and Haiti,” said Fatal. “After the earthquake, I believe that connection only grew stronger.”

“The people who died or disappeared in the earthquakes deserve that we honour their memories.”

Coping through art

Edzer Prophete had moved to Montreal a year before the earthquake hit, but several of his friends and relatives were still in Port-au-Prince.

Prophete lost his father’s cousin that day and the death had a major impact on his tight-knit family.

“We all lost someone,” he said. “In Haiti, we live in families, so cousins are close.”

Edzer Prophete moved to Montreal a year before the earthquake. ‘We all lost someone,’ he says of the tragic event. (Franca Mignacca/CBC)

Now, he hopes his artwork will remind Montrealers of the tragedy.

“It had an international impact because it caused a forced migration, at all levels, of all kinds of people who were traumatized by this situation.,” he said. “It has to stay part of history.”

He stood by a display of his own paintings Saturday, describing how each one has a piece of Haiti in it. He uses high contrast paints and shattered lines to depict the dramatic loss the country went through.

Prophete still feels frustrated whenever he thinks about the day of the earthquake.

“When I see things are going badly and there’s nothing I can do about it, it tears me up inside,” said Prophete.

Ayiti La will resume at 10 a.m. Sunday morning at Tohu Circus, 2345 Jarry Street East, and will close with a musical performance at 6 p.m.

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Art

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

Published

6 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

1 month 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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