Art

When trash becomes art in the hands of Dhiraj Sharma

Published

1 year ago

April 22, 2023

Dhiraj Sharma gently places his latest creation on the centre table of his living room, a robot-like figure, clearly 90s-inspired, made from an interesting melange of objects. “I’ve named this character Pixie,” says the 40-year-old founder of 8mango, an organisation that transforms junk of all sorts into artefacts and keepsakes. I peer closer, trying to identify Pixie’s various components. His torso is a retro Pepsi can and his legs, composed of e-waste, disappear into trendy high-top sneakers made of discarded binoculars and wristwatches. On his back, Pixie carries an azure backpack, made of an ancient audiocassette while his stiff, LAN-cable arms stand away from his metallic torso, the ends pointing downwards. “He is made of 100% waste,” says Sharma, adding that it started with the can. “I had a Pepsi at the movie theatre, and could not throw the can away. It was too attractive to me,” he says. “Keeping that at the centre, I started building around it.”

It is Sharma’s ability to find inspiration in mundane, discarded objects that make his art so special. Broken jewellery, toys inveigled from his seven-year-old son, the innards of laptops and watches, waste paper, broken bicycle spokes and more are transformed into 3D portraits, small sculptures and quirky artefacts in his able hands. So where does he source his material from, I ask. Almost everywhere, really, he confesses. “I visit scrap yards every weekend,” he says, adding that his friends and family now are aware of his passion and often offer him their discarded items. “They even send pictures,” he says, with a laugh, recalling how his sister had called the previous day, offering a broken printer. And yes, he is also in touch with companies that want to upcycle their e-waste.

Sharma, who grew up in Pune, has been fiddling around with broken devices right from his high school days. “I was curious to see how things look inside, and what can be done, apart from using them in the conventional way,” he says. In 2006, a year or so after he graduated in computer science from Pune University, he launched his website 8mango.com, using the forum to display his artwork. The quirky name of the website came from an early artwork: a bust of Albert Einstein made from the seed of a mango he had eaten.

Dhiraj Sharma of 8mango
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

He still remembers those early days, forging small artefacts over the weekend and at night, in the spare time he got after his day job at a Pune-based animation studio. “I would often keep the small artefacts I had worked on at my desk. People started showing interest and coming over to see them,” he recalls. In 2008, he got his first big break, when he was invited to showcase his work at IIT Bombay’s tech fest. “My first commissioned work was with them. I created a mascot using e-waste and domestic appliances, ” he says, recalling that three-foot tall structure, his very first large-scale project. “The appreciation I got from the crowd and faculty members was overwhelming,” says Sharma, who moved from Pune to Bengaluru in 2010.

Since the IIT showing, there have been many projects, both large and small scale. Some of these include an effigy of Pune’s Victory Theatre, a 10ft x 10ft representation of APJ Abdul Kalam made with discarded x-ray sheets, textured portraits of pop icons such as John Lennon and Frida Kahlo brought alive via scraps of old paper and plastic, and a delightful sculpture of a golden cat shaped out of bike parts and pet bottles.

Sharma is also associated with TEDx Hyderabad, serving as an experience partner with the initiative since 2017, and was part of a show on Sony Entertainment between 2008 and 2011, where he created art from waste, an experience he holds very dear. Currently, he works part-time as a creative advisor for a start-up, juggling both his career and art effortlessly. “When I want to take a break from my job, I do art. When I get exhausted by this, I go back to design,” he says, with a laugh.

I watch him turn back to a work-in-progress, a saxophone made of frayed gas burners and the tarnished base of a globe. He looks up from the artefact and remarks, “Upcycling helps raise the potential of something,” says Sharma. This, in turn, can play a significant role in the larger sustainability narrative, he believes. “In the last 15-odd-years, I alone have converted nearly 200 kg of waste,” he says, adding that he hopes his work will inspire and open more minds to the possibilities offered by upcycling. “The more people are aware of this, the more likely they are to upcycle.”

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Art

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

Published

6 days 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.

Art

Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2024

Harry Miller

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com

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Art

Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

Published

1 month ago

August 18, 2024

Harry Miller

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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