Latest news with #GroupOfSeven
NHK
3 days ago
- Business
- NHK
Japan to partially lift sanctions on Syria
The Japanese government has decided to partially lift sanctions it had imposed on Syria. In Syria, an interim government is working to rebuild the country after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December last year. The authoritarian rule of the Assad family spanned more than half a century over two generations. The Japanese Cabinet agreed on the move at its meeting on Friday. Four banks will be removed from the list of targets whose assets are frozen. The Syrian interim government has repeatedly asked other countries to lift sanctions to help rebuild the war-torn nation. The European Union has already decided to ease its sanctions in stages. The US government under President Donald Trump has also announced sanctions relief. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters that the decision came after the government studied the matter comprehensively. He said it is based on the view that Japan should support positive efforts in Syria and help improve the lives of its people, who have been worn down by years of crisis, while remaining in step with the international community. He said Japan will continue coordinating with the Group of Seven countries and others in the international community to pursue effective measures for achieving peace and stability in Syria.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU Weighs Cutting 20 Banks From SWIFT in New Russia Sanctions
(Bloomberg) -- The European Union is considering cutting more than 20 banks from SWIFT, the international payments system, as well as lowering a price cap on Russian oil and banning the Nord Stream gas pipelines as part of a new sanctions package that aims to increase pressure on Moscow to end its war against Ukraine. NY Private School Pleads for Donors to Stay Open After Declaring Bankruptcy UAE's AI University Aims to Become Stanford of the Gulf Can Frank Gehry's 'Grand LA' Make Downtown Feel Like a Neighborhood? NYC's War on Trash Gets a Glam Squad Chicago's O'Hare Airport Seeks Up to $4.3 Billion of Muni Debt The European Commission is consulting member states over the plans, according to people familiar with the matter. A decision on timing of potential restrictions has yet to be taken, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. EU sanctions require the backing of all member states, and could change before they're formally proposed and adopted. The EU is also weighing additional transaction bans on about two dozen banks and some €2.5 billion ($2.84 billion) worth of fresh trade restrictions as it seeks to further curtail Russia's revenues and ability to get its hands on the technology needed to make weapons. As part of the package under the discussion, the bloc's executive arm is also planning to propose lowering the Group of Seven oil price cap to about $45, the people said. That move would likely require backing from the US. The price threshold, which bans G-7 service providers from transporting and dealing with crude sold above the cap, is currently set at $60. G-7 finance ministers failed to reach an agreement to bring the cap down at a meeting in Banff, Canada, this week. The discussions come as US President Donald Trump has urged Moscow and Kyiv to hold direct talks over a ceasefire and peace agreement. Trump has so far shied away from imposing new sanctions on Russia, despite threatening to do so several times. Sanctions introduced under President Joe Biden remain in place. Crucially, the EU's plan to sanction the Nord Stream pipelines already has Germany's support. For German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said in Rome last week that he supports the Commission's proposal 'to start work on European measures against the Nord Stream 2 pipelines,' a key hope is that sanctions could temper debates at home about reviving the projects, Bloomberg previously reported. Rumors of a potential revival of the pipeline project have intensified as Trump pushed to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine. Even without a formal ban, activating Nord Stream 2 — which was built but never certified by Germany, and was partially damaged by explosions in 2022 — was unlikely to happen any time soon. Sanctions would lend weight to Europe's position that it doesn't want any meaningful return of Russian pipeline flows. A ban will also protect Berlin from dealing with any potential US or Russian pressure on its own. Separately, the bloc is planning to phase out Russian fossil fuels by the end of 2027. Elsewhere, the EU is looking to expand its sanctions on Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers, and is considering further restrictions on lenders seen to be aiding Moscow's war efforts as well as the Russian foreign direct investment fund, said the people. The bloc also wants to include clauses in its next sanctions package — which would be the EU's 18th since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — to protect European firms from arbitration under bilateral investment treaties, the people added. How Coach Handbags Became a Gen Z Status Symbol Why Apple Still Hasn't Cracked AI Inside the First Stargate AI Data Center Microsoft's CEO on How AI Will Remake Every Company, Including His AI Is Helping Executives Tackle the Dreaded Post-Vacation Inbox ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Group of Seven Shatters Records at Heffel's Landmark All-Canadian Auction
Heffel's watershed all-Canadian auction achieves $22M and shatters records for major artists Group of Seven masterpieces from University Club of Toronto collection dominate sale Multiple auction records smashed, including Franklin Carmichael, Arthur Lismer, A.Y. Jackson and Daphne Odjig TORONTO, May 22, 2025 /CNW/ - Heffel Fine Art Auction House is honoured to celebrate the success of its record-breaking Spring live auction, a watershed evening dedicated exclusively to Canadian masterworks. The all-Canadian sale, held in Heffel's Toronto saleroom, brought together collectors from across the country and around the globe, united in their pursuit of Canada's most legendary artists. It was an electric night for the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson, whose major paintings shattered records and contributed to the evening's overall total of $22 million. As the leader in Canada's market and ranked among the top auction houses in the world globally, Heffel is proud to champion the nation's cultural icons on the international stage. The auction was led by three historic Group of Seven canvases by Lawren Harris, Franklin Carmichael and Arthur Lismer, consigned from the storied University Club of Toronto. These exceptional paintings by Canada's first national art movement—steeped in institutional history and national pride—anchored a night of landmark results and celebrated a vital chapter in Canada's cultural history. (All prices are in Canadian dollars and include a buyer's premium.) "Tonight was a true celebration of Canada," said Robert Heffel, Vice President of Heffel. "To see such exceptional works by our country's iconic artists resonate so deeply with collectors is incredibly rewarding. It's an honour for our team to help steward these national treasures into their next chapters." Highlights from the Heffel Spring 2025 Live Auction A landmark canvas by Lawren Harris led the evening, drawing serious interest from collectors. Northern Lake, a 1926 masterpiece from the University Club of Toronto collection, realized $3,121,250. The historic painting of international acclaim, awarded a gold medal at the 1926 Sesqui-Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and exhibited at the Musée du Jeu de Paume in Paris, is a defining example of Harris's celebrated vision and mastery (est. $2,000,000 – 3,000,000). Leaf Pattern, the dazzling 1922 canvas by Franklin Carmichael shattered both its presale estimate and the artist's auction record and sold for $2,281,250 at the Heffel sale (est. $700,000 – 900,000). Also consigned from the University Club of Toronto, widely published and exhibited extensively throughout its lifetime, this stunning canvas truly captivated collectors. McGregor Bay Islands by Group of Seven artist Arthur Lismer achieved an exceptional price of $1,621,250, setting an auction record for the artist and marking Lismer's entry first entry into the million-dollar club. Widely exhibited and long held at the University Club of Toronto, the stunning canvas stands as one of Lismer's most important works and a quintessential example of the Group of Seven's vision (est. $600,000 – $800,000). A.Y. Jackson's phenomenal Night on the Skeena River set a deserving new auction record for the artist, soaring to $1,081,250 (est. $800,000 – $1,000,000). Painted during his pivotal Group of Seven years, the dramatic canvas is widely considered one of the finest canvases ever painted by the artist. Tom Thomson's rare and coveted oil sketches continue to be among the most sought-after works in Canadian art. Three outstanding paintings each surpassed $1 million, showcasing his most iconic subjects and locations; Autumn, Algonquin Park sold for $1,201,250, Canoe Lake, Algonquin Park for $1,051,250 and Dawn on Round Lake (Kawawaymog Lake) for $1,021,250. Important works by Emily Carr realized strong prices in the Heffel auction, including her dynamic seascape canvas Shoreline, which sold for $901,250 (est. $750,000 – 850,000) and British Columbia Forest for $541,250 (est. $250,000 – 350,000), reaffirming the artist's enduring global appeal. Heffel continues to champion Carr's incredible legacy and unmatched place in Canadian art history. Carr's masterworks, together with works by Lawren Harris and other Canadian greats, are on view in the global touring exhibition Northern Lights, currently on at Fondation Beyeler in Basel, Switzerland, before opening at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum in Buffalo, New York. Daphne Odjig's beautiful Awakening of Spring set a new auction record for the artist and sold for $133,250. The powerful and distinctive canvas exemplifies Odjig's ability to blend traditional themes with contemporary expression, solidifying her status as a pivotal figure in Canadian art (est. $50,000 – 70,000). For more information on the works included in Heffel's spring live auction, visit Heffel is now welcoming consignments for the fall 2025 auction season. The deadline for fall consignments is August 2025. About Heffel Fine Art Auction HouseSince 1978, Heffel has connected passionate collectors across the world with outstanding works of art, with sales of more than $1 billion. Heffel is renowned for its expertise in effectively managing and handling the sale of works from estates, institutional collections, corporate collections and private collections, serving as trusted experts for navigating the complexities of art collections with precision and care. Notable results include the 2016 sale of Lawren Harris' Mountain Forms for $11,210,000– the record for any Canadian artwork ever sold at auction – as well as Jean Paul Riopelle's Vent du nord for $7,438,750 in 2017. With galleries and support facilities in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary, Heffel has the most experienced team of specialists in Canada and provides premium client service to both sellers and buyers internationally. SOURCE Heffel Fine Art Auction House View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Group of Seven Shatters Records at Heffel's Landmark All-Canadian Auction
Heffel's watershed all-Canadian auction achieves $22M and shatters records for major artists Group of Seven masterpieces from University Club of Toronto collection dominate sale Multiple auction records smashed, including Franklin Carmichael, Arthur Lismer, A.Y. Jackson and Daphne Odjig TORONTO, May 22, 2025 /CNW/ - Heffel Fine Art Auction House is honoured to celebrate the success of its record-breaking Spring live auction, a watershed evening dedicated exclusively to Canadian masterworks. The all-Canadian sale, held in Heffel's Toronto saleroom, brought together collectors from across the country and around the globe, united in their pursuit of Canada's most legendary artists. It was an electric night for the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson, whose major paintings shattered records and contributed to the evening's overall total of $22 million. As the leader in Canada's market and ranked among the top auction houses in the world globally, Heffel is proud to champion the nation's cultural icons on the international stage. The auction was led by three historic Group of Seven canvases by Lawren Harris, Franklin Carmichael and Arthur Lismer, consigned from the storied University Club of Toronto. These exceptional paintings by Canada's first national art movement—steeped in institutional history and national pride—anchored a night of landmark results and celebrated a vital chapter in Canada's cultural history. (All prices are in Canadian dollars and include a buyer's premium.) "Tonight was a true celebration of Canada," said Robert Heffel, Vice President of Heffel. "To see such exceptional works by our country's iconic artists resonate so deeply with collectors is incredibly rewarding. It's an honour for our team to help steward these national treasures into their next chapters." Highlights from the Heffel Spring 2025 Live Auction A landmark canvas by Lawren Harris led the evening, drawing serious interest from collectors. Northern Lake, a 1926 masterpiece from the University Club of Toronto collection, realized $3,121,250. The historic painting of international acclaim, awarded a gold medal at the 1926 Sesqui-Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and exhibited at the Musée du Jeu de Paume in Paris, is a defining example of Harris's celebrated vision and mastery (est. $2,000,000 – 3,000,000). Leaf Pattern, the dazzling 1922 canvas by Franklin Carmichael shattered both its presale estimate and the artist's auction record and sold for $2,281,250 at the Heffel sale (est. $700,000 – 900,000). Also consigned from the University Club of Toronto, widely published and exhibited extensively throughout its lifetime, this stunning canvas truly captivated collectors. McGregor Bay Islands by Group of Seven artist Arthur Lismer achieved an exceptional price of $1,621,250, setting an auction record for the artist and marking Lismer's entry first entry into the million-dollar club. Widely exhibited and long held at the University Club of Toronto, the stunning canvas stands as one of Lismer's most important works and a quintessential example of the Group of Seven's vision (est. $600,000 – $800,000). A.Y. Jackson's phenomenal Night on the Skeena River set a deserving new auction record for the artist, soaring to $1,081,250 (est. $800,000 – $1,000,000). Painted during his pivotal Group of Seven years, the dramatic canvas is widely considered one of the finest canvases ever painted by the artist. Tom Thomson's rare and coveted oil sketches continue to be among the most sought-after works in Canadian art. Three outstanding paintings each surpassed $1 million, showcasing his most iconic subjects and locations; Autumn, Algonquin Park sold for $1,201,250, Canoe Lake, Algonquin Park for $1,051,250 and Dawn on Round Lake (Kawawaymog Lake) for $1,021,250. Important works by Emily Carr realized strong prices in the Heffel auction, including her dynamic seascape canvas Shoreline, which sold for $901,250 (est. $750,000 – 850,000) and British Columbia Forest for $541,250 (est. $250,000 – 350,000), reaffirming the artist's enduring global appeal. Heffel continues to champion Carr's incredible legacy and unmatched place in Canadian art history. Carr's masterworks, together with works by Lawren Harris and other Canadian greats, are on view in the global touring exhibition Northern Lights, currently on at Fondation Beyeler in Basel, Switzerland, before opening at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum in Buffalo, New York. Daphne Odjig's beautiful Awakening of Spring set a new auction record for the artist and sold for $133,250. The powerful and distinctive canvas exemplifies Odjig's ability to blend traditional themes with contemporary expression, solidifying her status as a pivotal figure in Canadian art (est. $50,000 – 70,000). For more information on the works included in Heffel's spring live auction, visit Heffel is now welcoming consignments for the fall 2025 auction season. The deadline for fall consignments is August 2025. About Heffel Fine Art Auction HouseSince 1978, Heffel has connected passionate collectors across the world with outstanding works of art, with sales of more than $1 billion. Heffel is renowned for its expertise in effectively managing and handling the sale of works from estates, institutional collections, corporate collections and private collections, serving as trusted experts for navigating the complexities of art collections with precision and care. Notable results include the 2016 sale of Lawren Harris' Mountain Forms for $11,210,000– the record for any Canadian artwork ever sold at auction – as well as Jean Paul Riopelle's Vent du nord for $7,438,750 in 2017. With galleries and support facilities in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary, Heffel has the most experienced team of specialists in Canada and provides premium client service to both sellers and buyers internationally. SOURCE Heffel Fine Art Auction House View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBC
12-05-2025
- General
- CBC
How N.W.T.'s Legislature building became home to a collection of A.Y. Jackson works
Social Sharing Windows stretch overhead in a circular meeting room of the N.W.T. Legislative Assembly building in Yellowknife, casting a natural light on a collection of works by one of Canada's most renowned and celebrated painters, A.Y. Jackson. Jackson was a member of the Group of Seven, a collective of Canadian painters that formed in the 1920s and became famous for their unique depictions of Canadian scenes. Members of the Group — Jackson in particular — frequently visited the North during the mid-1900s to paint the landscapes and also its mining industry. Ten of Jackson's oil pieces are on permanent display in the Muskox Room of the N.W.T. Legislative Assembly building and they continue to inspire people. The Group's influence has undoubtedly stood the test of time. To put it into perspective, consider that an exhibition a few years ago in Ontario consisted of works made from the bacteria found on some of the Group's painting tools. John Geoghegan is an associate curator for the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and has worked on numerous Group of Seven exhibits. He says the works that reside in the N.W.T.'s Legislative Assembly were from Jackson's second trip to the territory in the late 1940s. "A.Y. Jackson painted every province and territory in Canada and was really showing the Canadian public places that many of them had never seen before, through his paintings," said Geoghegan. He believes Jackson was inspired by the North with the expressive colours in his works being a testament to that. N.W.T.-based artist Darrell Chocolate says the colours seen in Jackson's works resonate for him as well. "To see all the landscapes, especially the fall scenery when all the tundra leaves start to turn red and orange, it brings a sense of warmth," said Chocolate. "The sunsets, the orange sky with the clouds. You see the purple, You see the blue. This is the uniqueness of being Dene. We have a lot of history here and I like to capture what I see." Chocolate grew up in Gamètì, N.W.T., and he said he remembers seeing Jackson's pieces during visits to Yellowknife when he was younger. "Even looking at them now, it reminds me, it's the inspiration that I've seen growing up," said Chocolate. Chocolate wonders whether Jackson's paintings might be better suited for an art gallery or other public space where more people might see them. 'It's almost hidden away from the public. It's such beautiful art to be isolated. For people to see it, it's really a remarkable thing to see, all the beauty in the art, the originality in the art." Geoghegan said that the N.W.T. collection of Jackson's paintings is special because the artist's oil sketches made out on the land are displayed alongside the final canvas pieces. The paintings and sketches were held for years at the National Gallery in Ottawa and shown in exhibits in Toronto and Montreal before they started to be returned to the territory in 1967. After years of effort, the works ended up in the Legislative Assembly building in Yellowknife when it opened in 1993. While not in a gallery, the pieces can be seen during tours held at the Legislative Assembly throughout the year. Portraying culture and the land Jackson's work was done at a time when Indigenous perspectives and creations were largely excluded from the art world in Canada and elsewhere. Geoghegan said the Group of Seven's work is a part of a much larger discussion around how the land was depicted during the early and mid-1900s. Some of the Group's work has been criticized for depicting landscapes as essentially empty, and therefore erasing the presence of Indigenous people there at the time. Geoghegan said that Jackson's N.W.T. paintings complicate those discussions. "While the majority of Jackson's works render the landscape as empty, there are bodies of work like this one that do show various aspects of contemporary Indigenous life," said Geoghegan. "That is something that I think scholars are still just coming to and unpacking and trying to understand, exactly the scope of Jackson's engagement with Indigenous communities." Jackson and N.W.T. mines Jackson's N.W.T. paintings also show that he was interested in more than just natural landscapes. In 1948, Jackson was invited by the federal deputy minister of mines and resources to do sketches of Yellowknife and the surrounding areas. "It reveals a side of A.Y. Jackson that a lot of people maybe don't think about, and that is his paintings of industry," said Geoghegan. W.J. Bennett, vice president of the former Eldorado Mining and Refining, a federal Crown corporation that funded Jackson's trips to the N.W.T., wrote in a booklet published in 1988 that the company's board of directors had decided to donate their nine sketches and a canvas painting by Jackson to Yellowknife's Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. Two finished canvas pieces from Jackson's Eldorado mining trip sketches, depicted in Bennett's booklet, are in the N.W.T. Legislative Assembly collection: Consolidated Mine, NT, and West Bay Fault, NT, both dated 1949.
