Guests of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery in downtown Owen Sound can now view a photographic history of the city, works by one of Canada’s most renowned and mysterious artists, and a thought-provoking collection of photographic overlays depicting Lake Huron – all in about 200 steps.
The art gallery officially opened its three newest exhibits on Saturday afternoon. Gallery director Aidan Ware said the arts scene is booming in the Scenic City. Citing high attendance and sold-out fundraising events. Ware said, “things for us could not be better.”
The new exhibits are J. James: Living Histories, guest curated by Richard J. Thomas, and at the art gallery until March 16, 2024; Susan Dobson: Parallax, at the gallery until March 2, 2024; and Tom Thomson: enigma, on display until May 25, 2024.
J, James Living History features historical photographs by local photographer J. James, which illuminate the history of Owen Sound.
As part of the exhibition, the gallery hosted a community initiative called Living Histories Photo Sharing Project, a day connecting members of the public with Thomas, a local historian, to share their historic photographs of Owen Sound and related stories.
Thomas said he was writing his first novel when he went to seek out old images of the city to get a better sense of the setting for his book. He went to the Foto art store in downtown Owen Sound and was shown a stack of glass negatives as tall as he was.
Those were photos by J. James, who once owned and operated the store in Owen Sound and was the city’s main street photographer.
“Back in those days they would get new equipment in and test it out by taking a shot down the main street,” Thomas said.
Thomas credited Peter Ciokan and Robert Cotton of Grey-Bruce Image Archives for preserving and digitizing much of the collection.
“J. James’ photographs bring forward a certain nostalgia, they also provide a more consolidated sense of Owen Sound as a fledgling city in all its incarnations – port town, industry mecca, bootlegger bastion,” the exhibit’s online description reads.
“We tend to think this city never changes. I’ve heard that ever since I moved here, we think of things as unchanging, but this proves it’s not,” Thomas said.
Parallax, an exhibition by renowned Canadian artist Susan Dobson, presents large-scale photographs of the Great Lakes from Susan Dobson’s Viewfinder and Focus Finder series.
Dobson, an associate professor at the University of Guelph, uses an old large format camera – the kind with an accordion-looking front end and black cloth cover the photographer drapes over themselves.
Those cameras use ground glass viewers, and many photographers mark up their viewers by scratching, drawing or making marks on them. Dobson said they become like personal artifacts.
The romantic-looking images, scenic lake views distorted by the patina of the viewfinders, that comprise one-half of the exhibit, take a seemingly sinister turn when Dobson begins to overlay more modern view-finding technologies over the scenes of Lake Huron, including those used in facial-recognition programs.
Dobson said when she made those images she was living in a cabin on the shores of Lake Huron during the pandemic. Dobson attributed her anxieties at the time to the change in tone.
Dobson said she purposefully has the titles of the pieces set away from the artwork and does not include long descriptions of the images.
“If it’s too straightforward it doesn’t allow for personal interpretation,” she said.
Cumulatively, Dobson’s work explores themes of photographic materiality, photographic history and its viewing devices, voyeurism, and surveillance.
Tom Thomson: enigma, brings together a selection of Tom Thomson’s paintings and artifacts alongside works by contemporary artists Marlene Creates and Tim Whiten from the gallery’s collection.
When it comes to Thomson, much is left unknown about one of the country’s most popular painters. How did he die? What did he think about his art? What would he think about how it’s viewed now?
“There was no manifesto. There is hardly any written history,” Bingeman said.
“We tend to fill in the gaps with our own conjecture,” she said. “Like an empty vessel.”
Bingeman said the decision to include work from contemporary artists was made to help carry the conversation into the present day.
“People love a mystery. When they don’t have an ending to the story it’s unnerving,” she said.
The free-to-attend event on Saturday featured snacks from The Milk Maid and a cash bar.
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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