Dozens of works by well-known Northwest Coast artists like Ellen Neel, Charlie James, Mungo Martin, Robert Davidson, Beau Dick on exhibit
Phil Nuytten was an internationally renowned designer of deepsea diving equipment. But he had an artistic side that wasn’t as well known.
Of Métis descent, Nuytten was an accomplished carver, trained by the legendary Kwakwakaʼwakw artist Ellen Neel. He also had a large collection of Northwest Coast art by artists such as Neel, her grandfather Charlie James and her uncle Mungo Martin, among others.
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Nuytten died May 13, 2023, at the age of 81.
Uno Langmann Fine Art has an exhibition of the Nuytten collection on display through March 16. Some of it is for sale, but many pieces will be going to institutions, including the U’Mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay.
The first thing you notice when you walk into the exhibition is a giant totem pole. It was carved by Bill Holm of Seattle, a professor at the University of Washington who was the author of the seminal 1965 book, Northwest Coast Indian Art: An Analysis of Form.
Some people might recognize it because the three-metre-tall totem used to be at SeaTac airport. Nuytten bought it and installed it at his home in North Vancouver.
“His house was like a gallery,” said Jeannette Langmann of Langmann Fine Art. “The totem was in his front entrance.”
The Holm pole is unpainted cedar, but a dazzling Ellen Neel totem in the exhibition is painted in rich green, red, yellow, black and white. This may also look familiar to visitors because Neel carved one of the totem poles in Stanley Park.
Nuytten loved First Nations art as a child, and asked the curator of the Vancouver Museum who could teach him to carve. They recommended Neel, and the 11-year-old Nuytten went to her modest home a stone’s throw from Rogers Sugar to ask her for lessons.
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She was a great teacher. The small Nuytten totem Hamatsa Raven, Bear Eating Orca Whale is as elegant and colourful as Neel’s own work.
Nuytten was a born entrepreneur. He started diving when he was 11, opened Canada’s first dive shop in Kitsilano when he was 16, and went on to found several companies, including Nuytco Research Ltd.
His most famous invention was the Newtsuit, which allowed divers to go to deep depths and became the standard for contained diving suits. He was a consultant with both NASA and James Cameron, the film director who made Titanic.
His business success helped him assemble an art collection by a who’s who of Northwest Coast artists, including Robert Davidson, Beau Dick, Dorothy Grant, Henry Hunt, Calvin Hunt, Matt James, Lelooska (Don Smith), Joe and Willie Seaweed, and John Livingston.
Seven pieces from his collection were included in a Vancouver Art Gallery exhibit, The Private Eye, which travelled to the McMichael Gallery in Ontario.
One of them is Numan (Old Man) by Don Smith, a yellow and red cedar mask of an old man’s head with wonderfully bushy eyebrows and beard. It’s a dance mask, and many parts move, which makes it come alive.
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“Everything is articulated, even the eyebrows, so he can look happy or sad,” explains Langmann. “It’s really quite incredible.”
Nuytten commissioned many of the works in his collection, including a unique coffee table by John Livingston.
The round table features carvings of three orcas, which represent Nuytten, his wife Mary and their daughter Virginia. But the thing that really sets it apart is the middle, which has a distinctive nautical touch.
“It’s got a porthole in the centre,” said Langmann, “which was installed specifically for Phil.”
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In her new book Deep, Dark and Dangerous (Harbour Publishing) Vickie Jensen dives into the history of the subsea industry in Vancouver. Jensen, a maritime historian and writer, interviewed pioneers like Phil Nuytten, who opened the first dive shop in Western Canada (in Kitsilano) when he was only 16 years old, about how the industry has unfolded over the past five decades.
In April, 1948, Kwakwaka’wakw artist Ellen Neel gave a speech at the University of B.C. She was asked to talk about what was then called Indian art and the potential for a commercial market at the Conference on Native Indian Affairs. It was one of the first forums in the country to address issues affecting Indigenous people in B.C.
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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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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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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.
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.
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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