Artist Sues Dealer Over Stolen and Damaged Works, Including Queen Elizabeth II Portrait on Canadian Coins
Artist Susanna Blunt, known for her depiction of Queen Elizabeth II on Canadian coins, is suing a local dealer in Vancouver for damages. Blunt’s image of the Queen without her crown was featured on Canadian coins starting in 2003. The lawsuit alleges theft of a sculpture at a group show in 2021 and damage to Blunt’s work during an exhibition at the dealer’s former space in 2022. The lawsuit also claims breach of contract and breach of duty of care. The dealer denies the allegations and says he had no communication with Blunt regarding compensation. Blunt, citing “ill health,” waited two years to file the claim. The lawsuit has caused controversy in Vancouver’s art community. Artists rarely sue galleries in Canada, with few cases in the past decade. The dealer, currently exhibiting work by another artist in support of emerging artists, was shocked by the lawsuit and disputes Blunt’s allegations. The stolen sculpture in question went missing from a co-working space during an event. The dealer hopes to resolve the matter with the artist directly but has received no response. Blunt, with 58 years of exhibition experience, acknowledges that thefts and breakages are common in the art world. She had hoped for a private resolution to the matter.
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Cillian O’Rourke, studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland, where he majored in Visual Communication. His work spans graphic design, illustration, and branding, with a distinct minimalist style that emphasizes simplicity and impact. Cillian has collaborated with international brands and runs his own design studio focusing on creative solutions for startups.