Alexander Vasilenko is described in a prestigious art gallery as a "exquisitely skilled" Russian painter, who engages in naturalistic oil painting in the trompe l'oeil style (from the French
fool's eye
).
But the "oil paintings" sold at reputable auction houses such as Bukowskis, are in fact simple photo montages created in Malmö.
Received an order from a Swedish artist
The artist who made the works is called Ulf Stålhane.
During the 00's, he worked extra at an artist shop that makes frames and graphics.
He says that in this way he came in contact with another Swedish artist who ordered the paintings that would later be sold under the signature Alexander Vasilenko.
When did you realize that this was part of some kind of forgery?
- I reacted to the text, Vasilenko that it was a Russian artist, well what was this for?
But there was nothing I knew from the beginning, that there was a biography, when I worked on it, but I just saw it as a job like any other.
Why did you not go to the police when you realized?
- Yes you ... you can ask yourself that and if it had happened today, I would have said no.
But I was a bit addicted to that company quite simply, had I started whining I would have gone out.
Listen to Ulf Stålhane, and see how the scam art was created in the video.
The commissioned works were signed by a gallery owner
The other Swedish artist, who commissioned the works from Ulf Stålhane, does not want to be interviewed, but says that he did this on behalf of both Tom Moore and Alexander Vasilenko, who according to him certainly exists.
The artist believes that the presentations, which are available on the website of a reputable art gallery, are written by the gallery owner.
The stolen photo of Tom Moore and the signatures will also come from the gallery owner.
The gallery owner admits that he signed the works because the artist had an "agreement" for this.
- I bought graphic sheets and the right to sign.
I am led behind the light, says the gallery owner to Kulturnyheterna.
But that sounds strange. What is the agreement?
- Yes ... but that was it.
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Watch SVT's reporter reveal the art scam in the video.