Art

Sasha Q had to leave all her art in Ukraine — so she made 20 paintings in a month for this show

Published

1 year ago

July 5, 2023

A blonde woman leans over a canvas featuring a black orb on a red background, hovering over water. — Ukrainian artist Sasha Q came to Canada in June 2022 after leaving behind her friends, family and body of work. In preparation for her first Canadian show, she painted 20 pieces in just one month. (Sasha Q)

Like tens of thousands of her fellow Ukrainians, Sasha Q was forced to flee the country after the Russian invasion in February 2022. She had to leave everything behind. But for Sasha, whose real name is Oleksandra Stepanenko, that meant not just leaving her friends and family, but also her art practice, the vast majority of her work, and several works-in-progress.

Before the invasion, Sasha had been working as an artist in Kiev, showing in galleries and working on mural projects both at home and abroad. Now, that’s all gone.

“When I was running away with a backpack, the only thing I could take with me was my talent and my skill,” she says.

Now, slightly more than a year after she first landed in Canada, Sasha — who is now based in Toronto — is starting the process of rebuilding her art career in this country. She was excited to be invited to take part in this year’s Toronto Outdoor Art Fair — but she says it was also a bit worrying because, at the time, she didn’t actually have any art in Canada to show. Everything she’s showing at the fair, all 20 paintings, were painted in the month of June.

“I don’t have anything here, so I need to paint everything from scratch,” she says. “Everything you see on Instagram, that’s my old paintings They’re not in Canada.”

She says that the breakneck pace wasn’t what she was used to, but she didn’t really have a choice.

“I [had] a mission,” she says. “I need content. Usually I’m not so crazy, but I don’t have any other chance to expose [my] art.”

Even though it was borne out of necessity, Sasha says she’s come to really enjoy the process of working on smaller-scale pieces and finishing them quickly.

“It’s very interesting when you start and finish [a painting] in the same day,” she says. “It gives you a lot of inspiration. It’s like a child is born and raised and you’re a witness of the small life that you’ve [created]. I love it.”

A figure stands in front of a reflective orb. — “Other Worlds Pt. XII” by Sasha Q. (@sasha__q/Instagram)

As much as she is looking forward to the opportunity to showcase her art, Sasha says she’s realistic about how hard it’s going to be to build a career in Canada, both because of the challenges faced by all newcomers — and all artists — and because of how her experiences have changed her as a person.

“I went through very hard mental situations,” she says. “Imagine seeing your streets of your hometown full of dead bodies and explosions and your friends dying. What can I say? I don’t know how I survived this so many times.”

“I became very, very introverted because of that. I just feel it’s hard to socialize, to start everything from scratch. If you want to move like an artist, you always need to go somewhere: art parties, exhibitions. Right now, I feel a little bit lost.”

Her new paintings are part of a series called “Other Worlds,” which she started while she was still living in Ukraine. “Other Worlds” draws heavily on themes of retrofuturism and science fiction: reflective orbs hovering above red desert landscape, a distorted figure in front of a vortex. She says that for this series, she took a lot of her visual inspiration from the covers of science magazines of the 1980s and ’90s — both the Soviet ones she grew up with, and North American ones like Omni.

“I just love the minimalism,” she says of the magazine covers. “I love the colours, and I think it’s a look that I would say is timeless.”

A blonde woman stands holding two small paintings in reds and blacks. — Sasha Q, with two pieces from her “Other Worlds” series. (Sasha Q)

She adds that, for her, art has always been therapeutic. She’s been interested in art her entire life, but started taking it more seriously after the previous Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014, saying it was “just sort of an escapism for me.” And while the cold, stark look of her new work may not scream “comforting” to most people, for Sasha there is something soothing about drawing from an earlier era, when our digital present was still just a dream.

“We are living in an intersection of different eras,” she says. “There was no internet, no mobile phones when I was born. So I just feel some sort of nostalgia for the time that will never be back.”

“I was born in the Soviet Union for one year — then it collapsed. Then my country sort of quickly transformed into something else. I’ve lived through many transformations.”

The Toronto Outdoor Art Fair takes place at Nathan Philips Square from July 7-9.

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Art

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

Published

1 day 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

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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