Art

WILD Exhibition uses art to save nature – TheChronicleHerald.ca

Published

5 years ago

February 7, 2020

HALIFAX, N.S. —

Humans have been using art to connect to the natural world since the first cave paintings, but this month Nova Scotia artists are using their work to save a valuable piece of nature that’s in danger of disappearing.

Starting Saturday, the WILD Art Exhibition in the Nova Scotia Archives Building’s Chase Gallery presents the work of 10 creators in support of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust’s campaign to Save the Wild Blue. Proceeds from painting sales and donations will go towards the preservation of the Blue Mountain Wilderness Connector, 575 acres of diverse forest and wetland habitats within minutes of downtown Halifax.

Described by NSNT conservation project coordinator Allison Thorne as a “critical connector for wildlife,” the strip of land — including the connected lakes Long Lake, Cranberry Lake and Withrod Lake — stretches from the triangle of the Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes preserve between Bayers Lake, Timberlea and Kearney Lake to the wilds further inland across Hammonds Plains Road.

“The area has been identified for a really long time as being extremely important for Halifax, you can trace it back to a report made to the city in 1971,” says Thorne, encouraged by the community support from groups like the Ecology Action Centre, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and the Friends of Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes who’ve been drumming up public interest in the campaign.

“If you look at aerial imagery of the area, you can see how it’s really surrounded by development. … To have the area split at that point would really take away the ability for wildlife to move through there, and the canoe route would have houses on every side of the lake, and all that sort of thing.”

The land’s owners have agreed to sell it to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust at a reduced price, and have also made a sizeable in-kind donation to start the campaign, which runs until July with a $2.4 million goal.

That July deadline spurred Clayton Park-based painter Shelagh Duffett to organize WILD, encouraging nine other artists to display their nature-inspired work and contribute anywhere from 20 to 100 per cent of their proceeds to Save the Wild Blue.

Duffett’s connection to the site is a personal one. She grew up in Rockingham and frequently swam in nearby Susies and Quarry lakes, when the Bicentennial Highway was just two lanes and long before the existence of Bayers Lake Business Park, which meant a longer hike up logging roads to reach them.

She’s seen the area’s natural habitat for deer, foxes and hundreds of bird species whittled away by business and residential growth. Eventually, surrounding developments will cut off the Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes preserve if the connecting land isn’t preserved.

“It’s vitally important that we protect it, because the nature of the game is just development, development, development. It’ll just keep going,” says Duffett.

“There are areas that are still wild, but they’re privately owned, so you know at some point they’ll be developed if they’re not purchased or something happens to them. People want to live on lakes, it’s prime real estate.”

Shelagh Duffett’s Crow Chat, acrylic on birchwood.

Duffett’s concern was deepened by the clearcutting of the woods around the former site of the Mount Saint Vincent University motherhouse, which had been home to deer, foxes and the area’s famous murder of crows. One of her own paintings in the exhibition is titled As the Crow Flies, while another is Goodnight Susie, inspired by those idyllic swims in Susie Lake.

Other WILD artists include Danny Abriel, Mark Brennan, Kimberley Eddy, Melanie Fontaine, Gord MacDonald, Lori MacDonald, Timothy McGuire, Suzanne O’Callaghan, Anne-Marie Spears. Works range from MacDonald’s vivid landscapes to Fontaine’s lithograph-like cyanotypes of a tree’s rings.

“It’s a nice cross between science, nature and art,” says Thorne, who is an artist herself, working in metals and creating jewellery.

Thanks to word-of-mouth, some of the artwork has found buyers already, before the event begins with a noon-to-4 p.m. reception at Chase Gallery. Subconsciously, Duffett paraphrases singer-artist Joni Mitchell’s ecological anthem Big Yellow Taxi when she sums up why this campaign to save this vanishing habitat is so important.

“Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Boom, you can never, ever reclaim it. That’s why we want to put the brakes on development as much as we can for the Blue Mountain-Birch Lakes area.”

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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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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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