Over $10 million worth of art seized from Oak Bay art dealer: police

CHEK
Over 1,000 pieces of art were seized from an Oak Bay art dealer. (Saanich Police)

Saanich Police say officers have seized art estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars from an Oak Bay art dealer.

The investigation began on April 11 when police were contacted by an art owner. The owner said they had reached out to an Oak Bay art gallery and consigned four pieces of art. The pieces were three original Emily Carr paintings and one David Blackwood watercolour. The art gallery closed, and the art owner was unsuccessful in contacting the dealer so they became suspicious.

When police investigated, officers discovered there were several other victims who had given pieces of art for consignment and then stopped responding to communications. Over a thousand pieces were recovered following the execution of three search warrants in Saanich, Oak Bay, and Langford. The first search located 600 pieces, the second more than 100 pieces, and the third just over 300 pieces.

Const. Markus Anastasiades of Saanich Police told CHEK News this is believed to be the highest value seizure of property by Saanich Police in the last 30 years.

“The investigation began with three, four pieces of art, and has really taken over to be one of the largest property files that the department has seen. Not only in the amount of exhibits that we’re processing at this time but also the sheer dollar value,” said Anastasiades.

The art is now being held in a secure location by police.

Police are not revealing the name of the art dealer until charges are sworn in court, but they arrested the dealer on April 21 and released them on several conditions with a court date in July.

Charges of fraud and false pretense are being recommended.

“The dealer was taking art from people with the intention of consigning or appraising the art, later ceasing all contact, all the while selling the art without reimbursing the owners or artists,” said Anastasiades.

“Many of the pieces hold an emotional component to the artists or their families and some of them have been left in the dark for a long time,” said Anastasiades.

Photographic artist David Ellingsen says he lost $4,000 after contacting an art dealer at Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay.

“I probably don’t expect to see that, but for an artist, that’s a good chunk of money and that’s how I make my living. So it’s important,” said Ellingsen.

Ellingsen consigned some of his own artwork to the dealer, but did not hear anything further. He was told that his art was sold without his knowledge and did not receive any money for the sale. When he learned that the gallery was closing down, he rushed to the remnants of his work.

“I think now that I read all these news articles, I see that I am quite lucky to get all my artwork back,” said Ellingsen.

Police have not confirmed if the now-closed Winchester Galleries is linked to this latest seizure. None of these allegations have been proven in court.

Detectives are in touch with the artists, families, or owners of the art in an effort to return the artwork to the rightful owners.

“We believe there are individuals who have attempted to reclaim their artwork, associated to the Oak Bay gallery but have not been successful in doing so. We are asking for these people to reach the Saanich Police by email at [email protected],” said Anastasiades.

Oli HerreraOli Herrera

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