Canadian rare art auction stars Ian Wallace, Vancouver's 'art pioneer'

The Power Plant Painter by conceptual pioneer Ian Wallace is starring in this Canadian rare art auction

Canada's neighbour the United States often steals the global headlines when it comes to contemporary art auctions. So it's refreshing to see Canada's contemporary artists getting the spotlight in an upcoming Toronto sale.

Among the auction's big highlights is Untitled (The Power Plant Painter) by Ian Wallace.

Born in 1943 in England, Wallace became a pioneer of Vancouver's conceptual art movement and also 'the father' of the city's School of Photography.

Untitled (The Power Plant Painter) is a great example of Wallace's photographs: a well-composed shot of, as its title suggests, a power plant painter busy at work.

This artwork was formerly held in the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, Canada's leading public gallery devoted to contemporary visual art.

The 'CA$80,000' Power Plant Painter by conceptual pioneer Ian Wallace

Signed, titled and dated 2010 on its reverse, this photolaminate with acrylic on canvas carries a CA$60,000-80,000 presale estimate.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, offering the winning bidder a chance to contribute to Canada's art scene.

Also appearing in the sale is a signed and dated 2002 art piece by David Urban.

Entitled The Ray, the 76.3 cm x 100 cm oil on canvas was formerly of a private collection in Toronto. It carries a presale estimate of CA$16,000-18,000.

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Images: Waddington's