Art
Vancouver art students to learn about graffiti from one of the city’s masters
Students at a Vancouver art school are set to learn about street art and its intersection with social issues from an icon in the city’s graffiti scene.
James Hardy, better known as Smokey D or Smokey Devil, is behind many of the elaborate and thought-provoking murals seen throughout the city’s Downtown Eastside — most of which take a compassionate look at a neighbourhood that’s been hit hard by the toxic drug crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hardy has had his body of work recognized by the city in the form of an official “Smokey D Day,” but he has also previously spoken about his struggles and how he has been jailed for his graffiti.
Students at Emily Carr University are now due to learn from Hardy about his work, how graffiti is often a deeply personal art form, and how to navigate street art becoming more mainstream as concerns about vandalism grow.
Smokey D is a guest lecturer for the “How to Appreciate Graffiti” course at the university, which started on Jan. 9 and is set to run through the spring term.
The artist — who already teaches street art at the Carnegie Community Centre every week — says he’s looking forward to talking about his medium.
“The class itself is the first of its kind in Canada, which is groundbreaking, right?” Hardy told CBC News. “It’s cool. I want to put Vancouver on the map with that.
“I want to show society, as well, that [graffiti] is not always a bad thing and that it’s not always illegal and so forth.”
The City of Vancouver has said that while graffiti can bring streets to life with “vibrant displays of art,” nuisance graffiti can generate community safety concerns and can have impacts on businesses and residents.
The province has also frowned upon the practice, and provided businesses with millions of dollars to clean up graffiti in a program last year.
Over more than two decades of his work, however, Hardy says he has seen public opinion about graffiti shift as it becomes more mainstream.
He even spearheaded efforts to create Vancouver’s first legal graffiti wall in an alley near Pender Street — but admitted he never thought he would be teaching at a university when he first started making art.
“You should always do some kind of a message with it, and change it up, so they keep growing and growing and growing,” Hardy said of his approach to his art. “… I try to make something positive about it, instead of a bad thing.”
Deeply personal art
The course is being taught by Garnet Hertz, the Canada research chair in design and media art at Emily Carr.
Hertz said he first became interested in graffiti as COVID-19 restrictions were imposed. At the time, he picked up skateboarding to keep fit, saying he felt a loss of community and social connection during that period.
He said he was “blown away” by the quality of graffiti he began noticing around skate parks and subsequently approached Hardy.
“Smokey is like the … professor of the street,” Hertz said. “He’s a knowledge keeper, really, and a beautiful human.”
Hertz says much of Hardy’s work shows his commitment to the Downtown Eastside community.
“Those people that he paints are often his friends. And he does it at his own expense,” he said. “He does it not to be on the news … he does it for those families.
“My hope is that people understand that it’s a substantial cultural contribution … he really shows how that artwork can function.”
Contested public spaces
Hertz acknowledged, however, that street art is a thorny issue that speaks to who owns public spaces and what is considered acceptable there.
“There’s an issue of class. Because often, in art school, we look at different masters that are well respected, that have famous shows in the Louvre,” the professor said.
“It’s important to remember that there’s a lot of creative effort, and interesting and beautiful work, in the back alleys … and Smokey embodies that.”
Hertz also says the course would touch on how the civic response to graffiti varies widely between communities, adding that he wants municipalities to consider making more spaces for legal graffiti.
Students attending the How to Appreciate Graffiti course will have their work exhibited in Vancouver’s Fingerprint Gallery starting April 5.
Walking among elaborate murals near the city’s legal graffiti wall, Hardy says he hopes students have fun making their art, and recognize that graffiti is a messy, collaborative effort.
“Don’t feel bad if someone [paints] over your stuff,” he said. “It’s just like, go over whatever and just do what you do.”
Art
Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork
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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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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