Description:

Takao Tanabe (b. 1926), Canadian
SUMMER FOOTHILLS 5/82, 1982

acrylic on canvas
signed lower right; signed, titled, and situated "Errington, B.C." verso
35.25 x 18 in — 90.2 x 45.7 cm

Estimate: $10,000—15,000 CAD

  • Provenance: Graphica Gallery, Edmonton, AB
    Acquired from the above in 1983 by the present Private Collection, Edmonton, AB
  • Dimensions: 35.25 x 18 in — 90.2 x 45.7 cm
  • Artist Name: Takao Tanabe (b. 1926)
  • Medium: acrylic on canvas
  • Notes: Summer Foothills 5/82 was painted two years after Takao Tanabe left his position as head of the art program at the Banff Centre for the Arts and returned to British Columbia to work on his art full time. Jeffrey Spalding describes that move as a way to “extricate himself from the tyranny of his own success.”[1] He had already been making the transition to landscape painting in the 1970s with his Land and Prairie Paintings series. The shift in location and focus allowed him to continue to explore space, light and perspective. Painted in Errington, BC where Tanabe set up his new studio, Summer Foothills 5/82 is among the last of the prairie paintings before Tanabe gradually adjusted his painting method to reflect the more dramatic west coast environment.[2]

    Tanabe lays down the paint thinly in Summer Foothills 5/82 to produce an understated yet profound effect. His knowledge of sumi-e, the Japanese art of ink wash painting, is deftly applied in the subtle cast of clouds in the sky on the unprimed canvas and the layers of greens, yellows, browns and blues that make up fields and foothills. He moves quickly after a long planning process, using acrylics because of their quick drying time.[3]

    Anyone who has been to the prairies in the summer can attest to the endless sky, the play of light on the land, the blazing heat, and the smell in the air of a looming rain storm, all which have been captured by Tanabe in this quiet and breathtaking scene.

    [1] Jeffrey Spalding, “Anatomy of a Wave: Ebb and Flow in Errington,” in Takao Tanabe, ed. Ian Thom (Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, Vancouver Art Gallery, and Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 2005), 123.
    [2] Ian Thom, Takao Tanabe: Life & Work, (Toronto: Art Canada Institute, 2023), 64
    [3] Nancy Tousley, “The Prairie Paintings,” in Takao Tanabe, ed. Ian Thom (Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, Vancouver Art Gallery, and Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 2005), 84-85
  • Condition: Very good overall condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

The Auctioneers will not undertake packing or shipping. The purchaser must designate and arrange for the services of an independent shipper and be responsible for all shipping and insurance expenses. The Auctioneers will, upon request, provide names of professional packers and shippers but will not be held responsible for the service or have any liability for providing this information. Reliable pre-auction estimates of shipping costs of lots offered in this sale may be obtained from:

PICK UP & SHIPPING FROM TORONTO:

When contacting the shippers please have your invoice # and item information ready.

PakShip
Attn: Taurus Chan
Tel: 905.470.6874
416.293.8225
Fax: 905.470.6875
[email protected]
www.pakship.ca

Safer Shipping
Attn: Perry Hehn
Tel: 416.299.3367
Fax: 416.299.9750
[email protected]
www.safershipping.ca

PICK UP & SHIPPING FROM VANCOUVER:

Please note that lots in our Waddington's West auctions are located in Vancouver, B.C. When contacting the shippers please have your invoice # and item information ready.

The UPS Store 424
Tel: 604-559-5446
[email protected]

PakMail
Tel: 604-472-6245
[email protected]
www.pakmailcanada.com

CITES WARNING:
Restrictions exist regarding the import and export of species protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). This includes but is not limited to items made of or containing bone (whalebone etc.), ivory, tortoise shell, seal skin, rhinoceros horn and any other animal part and is strictly controlled or forbidden by most countries. Please review your country's laws before bidding on pieces made of or containing these restricted items. It is the sole responsibility of the buyer to inquire about and obtain the proper permits for artwork purchased that may contain restricted materials, if such permit can be obtained. Please contact the department for further assistance. For more information please visit www.cites.org

May 29, 2025 8:00 PM EDT
Toronto, ON, CA

Waddington's

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
CA$0 CA$199 CA$10
CA$200 CA$499 CA$20
CA$500 CA$999 CA$50
CA$1,000 CA$1,999 CA$100
CA$2,000 CA$4,999 CA$200
CA$5,000 CA$9,999 CA$500
CA$10,000 CA$19,999 CA$1,000
CA$20,000 CA$49,999 CA$2,000
CA$50,000 CA$99,999 CA$5,000
CA$100,000 CA$299,999 CA$10,000
CA$300,000 CA$999,999 CA$25,000
CA$1,000,000 CA$1,999,999 CA$50,000
CA$2,000,000 CA$2,999,999 CA$100,000
CA$3,000,000 CA$4,999,999 CA$200,000
CA$5,000,000 + CA$300,000