Art

Six Nations art show goes virtual – Rochester Beacon

Published

4 years ago

November 9, 2020

The pot Katsitsionne Fox made is a vessel, but it is also a story.

The slightly tapered cylindrical pot is circled by three rows of stylized waves of water that stand out in bas relief. In the water sits an infant. Above the water in a starry sky, a full moon looks down on the infant as if watching over the baby.

The vessel Fox fashioned is one of a series called Life Givers Pottery, says Fox, who is a member of the Bear Clan of the Akwesasne Mohawk nation. This pot’s story is told by the clay from which she fashioned the pot, which is the earth’s life-giving energy, she explains. The pot shows an infant in water because in the womb, our first home, we are bathed water. Women, who bear children in their wombs, are connected to the Grandmother Moon.

Fox’s pot is on exhibit at the Hodinöhsö:ni’ Art Show, which kicked off Nov. 6 online. Winners of the juried show were announced that day.

Founded four years ago by Ganondagan site manager Peter Jemison, the Hodinöhsö:ni’ show features works by artists from the six Haudenosaunee Nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora. Works in the show range from traditional Haudenosaunee media like basketry and beadwork to contemporary forms like photography and painting. Forty-three of the 111 artists who submitted work were selected for the juried show.

Unlike many contemporary western artists who look at the work they create as a purely aesthetic creation produced only for the sake of art, Six Nations art traditionally is rooted in function, Fox says. Pots would be pleasing to the eye, but they were made not just to look at but to cook in or hold water. To traditional Six Nations people, whose languages had no word corresponding to the English word art, the distinction between art and craft would not be meaningful.

Like Fox, some but not necessarily all modern Six Nations artists use traditional forms or a modern variation on traditional forms to tell a story, says Jemison, an artist himself.

“Not all of the artists, but some of the artists, are inspired by stories that are part of our oral tradition,” he says. They go from our creations story to our story of the unification of our five nations to one of our prophets who came and gave a message for the assistance of our people in the year 1799. That is a starting point for some.

“There are others who have taken a traditional form and changed it to a contemporary style. They borrow the traditional form like a piece of pottery in terms of the shape and roughly the way the top edge is finished. But the subject matter on the pottery, the images, take it into a new realm, something more contemporary, issues that the artist is concerned about.”

The Hodinöhsö:ni’ show’s five divisions—beadwork, basketry, traditional arts, two-dimensional fine art and sculpture—allow artists to mix traditional and contemporary forms and materials or to stick strictly to traditional forms and materials.

Basketry and beadwork entries could, for example, be fashioned from traditional materials like stone, wood bone, hickory bark or moose hair or could use modern materials. Beadwork could be traditional forms like wampum belts or moccasins or more contemporary objects. Two-dimensional entries could be paintings, drawing or photographs, but could also include mixed media.

Fox, for example, did not turn the vessel she made on a wheel but instead crafted it from clay much as her foremothers would have done. She did use some modern glazes.

Unlike past Hodinöhsö:ni’ shows in which art works were available for viewing at the Seneca Art and Culture Center at the Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor, the 2020 show will virtual. An online catalog is available at the Ganondagan web site. All works are available for purchase.

Holding the show online instead of exhibiting works in the show’s usual space in the center’s auditorium would not have been his first choice, Jemison says. But while COVID-19 forced organizers into the online format, the change has meant that more entries could be displayed and that they could be on exhibit longer. Initially slated to end Dec. 31, the show now might continue into 2021.

Will Astor is Rochester Beacon senior writer.

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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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