Art
Saudi Art Council flagship event attracts thousands – Arabnews
JEDDAH: Thousands of people have visited the Saudi Art Council’s flagship event in its first month.
21,39 Jeddah Arts — taken from the city’s latitude and longitude coordinates — features curated exhibitions, gallery openings, workshops and discussions aimed at building bridges between the Kingdom and the rest of the world through art.
The seventh edition, titled “I Love You, Urgently,” addresses and explores the global climate emergency through works of art that use scent, sculpture, sound, painting, drawing, installations and film as mediums of expression.
Hundreds of high-profile guests, including ministers from the UAE, as well as thousands of students have visited 21,39 Jeddah Arts since it opened on Jan. 28.
Last September Saudi Arabia said tourist visas would be issued for the first time to visitors from dozens of countries. Kickstarting tourism is one of the centerpieces of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform program to prepare the biggest Arab economy for a post-oil era.
Saudi Art Council Director Nada Sheikh-Yasin said it was the first year that the festival’s organizers had seen such an increase in visitor numbers.
“I think it’s due to the visas being easily accepted for the international audience to attend,” she told Arab News. “In the past, we’ve had many issues trying to get visas. I think this really helped with the opening of the exhibition to have this so easily accessible.”
She said the festival team was also pleased with the number of international students visiting the event and, while it was normal practice to welcome half a dozen local schools a day five days a week, there had been an uptick in foreign pupils going to 21,39. “So, on top of our six schools a day, we see an increase in our international students. Instead of having our six local schools a day, we tend to have 12 to 15 schools visiting us on a daily basis. It’s great that these numbers to an extent have increased with the introduction of international schools in particular.”
This year’s event has brought together more than 60 local and international artists, architects, designers and thinkers to pose questions around environmental sustainability and explore ways to inhabit the planet.
The workshops included the participation of creatives and thinkers such as Sami Angawi, Christina Dean, Francisco Carballo, Lina Qattan, Nourah Gabrah and Rana Bakash.
Topics discussed included architect and engineer Frei Otto’s current relevance to Saudi Arabia and the region as it moved forward in an environmentally unstable context; the impact of heavy urban and industrial development on the natural environment; the approach to environmental sustainability on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast; the mass movement of people caused by climatic changes in the context of Saudi Arabia; the fashion industry’s challenge of finding new models of sustainability; and the role of art and artists in fighting climate change.
The three-month event aims to engage the public in the conversations taking place about the environment and sustainability, while encouraging an understanding of these debates within a local context.
Sheikh-Yasin said that the Kingdom’s focus on sustainability and environmental awareness was reflected in the exhibition’s core theme.
“We wanted our artists to find sustainable ways to improve and maintain the environment. They each responded to that in their artwork and part of the Saudi Art Council’s role is to raise awareness and to have our visitors think twice and improve their ways of helping the environment, whether that’s through recycling or giving to charity, using different elements just to bring awareness as a whole. We practice what we preach so given the fact that the main theme of the exhibition is that, we try to incorporate that theme in everything that we do in the exhibition.”
What made this year special was that the artists were asked to find ways to implement their work in real life, she added.
“Instead of the artists only producing or us commissioning the artist to produce the work, we’ve asked them to suggest ways to implement what they are producing. It’s not fully about them producing, but it’s about how they can take this forward in this artistic practice.”
The festival has so far been visited by Noura bint Mohammed Al-Kaabi, who is the UAE’s minister of culture and knowledge development, and Anwar Mohammed Gargash, who is a member of the UAE’s Federal Cabinet and minister of state for foreign affairs. Both expressed their admiration for the creativity of participating artists.
The Saudi Art Council’s base at the city’s Gold Moor Mall has been the venue for workshops, talks and other events aimed at the public and students.
Workshops for children and students have included origami, upcycling and mixed media art. Courses and workshops for adults include the fundamentals of motion graphics, Arabic typography elements, and weekly photo walks in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district.
The council has also hosted a book launch and showcased the work of Shaker Kashgari and Alex Domingo, who seek to enrich Islamic art by integrating it into the digital age.
21,39 Jeddah Arts runs until April 18.
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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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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