Welcome to the Art Angle, a podcast from Artnet News that delves into the places where the art world meets the real world, bringing each week’s biggest story down to earth. Join host Andrew Goldstein every week for an in-depth look at what matters most in museums, the art market, and much more, with input from our own writers and editors, as well as artists, curators, and other top experts in the field.
If it’s possible, 2021 was even weirder and more confusing than the previous year. Just when we thought everything was back to normal, the universe threw a wrench at us. From Hunter Biden’s painting career to the surge of NFT artists—plus, who would’ve predicted something called “Immersive Van Gogh” would become the hottest ticket in town? The places where the art world meets the real world became even murkier, and we were along for the ride.
Loyal listeners may have noticed some new voices on the podcast this year, as we welcomed a slew of stand-in hosts while our editor in chief Andrew Goldstein welcomed a new baby into his family, and we look forward to expanding even further in the new year. It was hard to choose, but we combed through the last year’s-worth of episodes and selected 10 of our absolute favorites, from an interview with an inmate at San Quentin who is revolutionizing the way outsiders view the penal system to four artists who were in residence at the World Trade Center when it collapsed on 9/11, and reflected on how that day affected their lives and art practices.
Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you next year.
We were lucky enough to kick off the year speaking to Rahsaan Thomas, co-host of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated podcast Ear Hustle, who is himself a prisoner at San Quentin prison in California. Thomas joined the podcast to discuss the dual crises of the pandemic and mass incarceration and how art and empathy can shift perceptions about life inside and outside of prison.
Remember when we thought NFTs were a passing phase, much like the pixelated rainbow streaming behind Nyan Cat? LOL. Billions of dollars and a Beeple later, art business editor Tim Schneider’s primer to the wild world of NFTs still holds up. Consider this required reading before any family gathering this holiday season.
It’s a simple question, but the answer is a lot more complicated the harder you look. On this episode, investigative reporter Zachary Small and Artnet News’s senior market reporter Eileen Kinsella delve into the murky world of financing an art gallery, and the startling truth about how much money art dealers really make.
If you haven’t heard about Immersive Van Gogh yet… what rock are you hiding under? At the dawn of the now ubiquitous phenomenon, critic Ben Davis reflects on how a show that’s not really about art at all surpassed Taylor Swift in number of tickets sold, and why it’s got museum directors shaking in their boots at the future of art and entertainment.
One of the bright spots of 2021 was in the range of individuals who found outlets for their creativity via NFTs. One of the most exciting and genuine new voices is undoubtedly that of FEWOCiOUS—and you can find him on our new Artnet NFT 30 Report, too.
There’s no question that this year’s biggest (ahem, physical) art story was first-son Hunter Biden showing his art with a blue-chip gallery in New York and Los Angeles, prompting a political maelstrom.
Four artists who were in residence at the World Trade Center on 9/11 recount their experiences of the day, how it changed their art and lives forever, and remember their peer Michael Richards, who died during the attacks 20 years ago.
The 100th (!!!) episode of the Art Angle featured a conversation with author, professor, and astute social commentator Roxane Gay. An avid art collector, Gay spoke about a particularly moving painting by the artist Calida Rawles, on view in the artist’s exhibition at Lehmann Maupin in New York. The discussion touched on empathy, trauma, and healing through the lens of Rawles’s gorgeous canvas.
Another milestone in Artnet News’s 2021 was the debut of Artnet News Pro, where we dive even deeper into data analysis, art criticism, and of course, vetting newfangled market tools. In this episode, executive editor Julia Halperin spoke to Tim Schneider about a piece he wrote for the Intelligence Report, outlining five technologies that will transform the art market as we know it, from hologram art dealers to even more advanced A.I.
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.
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.
