Art

Sooke artist’s work displayed on Birkenstock shoes

Published

1 year ago

August 12, 2023

Doreen Carscadden has only to look down at her feet to see what her artistic vision can accomplish.

The Sooke woman has two new pairs of bespoke Birkenstock sandals, made in Georgia in the U.S., that sport images of her own abstract art work — Summer Breeze and Sunny Daze.

She had seen a call for art from the Michael Grey Sandal Factory on social media last year and then again a few months ago. Accepted art would be used on limited-edition Birkenstocks, a type of sandal she has loved since she was a teenager.

The artist chosen would be a “lucky person to get to do that,” she thought.

Carscadden and her husband looked through her works to find two to submit, choosing two which are colourful combinations of watercolours, acrylic paint and collage.

Images of the art were sent to Grey, who replied in just a couple of hours that he would love to collaborate.

The Michael Grey factory is a certified manufacturer of Birkenstocks, which have their origins in Germany in 1774 when cobbler Johann Adam Birkenstock lived in Langen-Bergheim.

“I was in disbelief. I really couldn’t believe it.”

Carscadden even gets goosebumps now while recounting how the project came to be. “It was such a special thing for me. It was pretty cool.”

Under the agreement, Carscadden received two pairs of custom sandals featuring her art work and a “small commission” for each pair sold. She did not reveal the amount but said it will help purchase more art supplies.

Art plays a major role in Carscadden’s life. “I’ve always done art of some kind.” She had been working as an undewriter at an insurance company but then became unwell several years ago, eventually being diagnosed as having a tick-related illness which left ongoing symptoms including fatigue.

Art took on a greater importance.

“It became more of an outlet for me and I started doing something called art journaling. … It’s a really good coping mechanism.”

She binds books herself, filling them with heavy paper used for drawing, painting and collage. Carscadden is not tied to one medium and may use oils or acrylics for example. Today she has made close to 30 books and has exhibited in local art shows.

Her work borders abstract and realism, she said.

Michael Grey makes just 30 of each design, priced at US$250.

“The neat thing about them is that every pair is going to be just a little bit different,” depending on where the printed leather is cut from, Carscadden said.

Some friends and family members are already owners of Carscadden Birkenstocks. She ordered one pair for her mother’s 85th birthday.

Source link

Art

A misspelled memorial to the Brontë sisters gets its dots back at last

Published

4 weeks ago

September 26, 2024

Anne Joseph

LONDON (AP) — With a few daubs of a paintbrush, the Brontë sisters have got their dots back.

More than eight decades after it was installed, a memorial to the three 19th-century sibling novelists in London’s Westminster Abbey was amended Thursday to restore the diaereses – the two dots over the e in their surname.

The dots — which indicate that the name is pronounced “brontay” rather than “bront” — were omitted when the stone tablet commemorating Charlotte, Emily and Anne was erected in the abbey’s Poets’ Corner in October 1939, just after the outbreak of World War II.

They were restored after Brontë historian Sharon Wright, editor of the Brontë Society Gazette, raised the issue with Dean of Westminster David Hoyle. The abbey asked its stonemason to tap in the dots and its conservator to paint them.

“There’s no paper record for anyone complaining about this or mentioning this, so I just wanted to put it right, really,” Wright said. “These three Yorkshire women deserve their place here, but they also deserve to have their name spelled correctly.”

It’s believed the writers’ Irish father Patrick changed the spelling of his surname from Brunty or Prunty when he went to university in England.

Raised on the wild Yorkshire moors, all three sisters died before they were 40, leaving enduring novels including Charlotte’s “Jane Eyre,” Emily’s “Wuthering Heights” and Anne’s “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.”

Rebecca Yorke, director of the Brontë Society, welcomed the restoration.

“As the Brontës and their work are loved and respected all over the world, it’s entirely appropriate that their name is spelled correctly on their memorial,” she said.

Source link

Art

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

Published

1 month 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.