Millions of dollars in Canadian fine art up for auction in Vancouver

Some of Canada's best artists are on display at Vancouver's Heffel Auction House with a collection including Emily Carr, E.J. Hughes, Alex Colville and the Group of Seven going up for auction on May 25.

David Heffel, who owns the gallery, believes Canadian art is gaining momentum not just at home but around the world.

"Overall I think Canadians are pretty modest about our visual artists but when we start showing our colours is when the international market starts recognizing the depth of talent here in the country," he said.

In Vancouver however, it proved challenging on Sunday to find locals who know what the Group of Seven is.

Vancouver, do you know the Group of Seven?

9 years ago

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Millions in Canadian fine art up for auction at Heffel gallery.

"I always joke if you can't name four guys from the Group of Seven your passport should be taken away," said art expert Lisa Christensen. "It should be law."

For the record, the Group of Seven the collective of artists Lawren Harris, J.E.H. MacDonald, Arthur Lismer, Frederick Varley, Frank Johnston, Franklin Carmichael and A.Y. Jackson.

"We all know who Gretzky is," said Heffel. "Lawren Harris is the Gretzky of the Canadian art world."

His painting called Laurentian Landscape is expected to fetch the highest bid at the auction, starting out at least $1.2 million.

According to the gallery, in 1966, the work's previous owner bought it for $8400 while the last Harris painting to be auctioned off sold in Toronto in November for three times the minimum bid.

The entire collection at this auction — 144 pieces — is expected to pull in anywhere from $10-15 million.

"I had to come," said art collector Ken Langdon who previewed the works in Vancouver on Sunday. "I collect Canadian art and this is best of Canadian art." 

Other collectors like Merv Beaveridge worry though that some are being drawn to Canadian art because of its financial rather than artistic value.

"That's a problem in a way. I'm not sure people are buying it because they love it and have to have it, its more of an investment and that's sad really," he said.