Gordon Appelbe Smith (1919-2020) BCSFA CGP CPE OC RCA
Subject ” Coastal Series ”
Mat opening (visible size of watercolour) 9 1/2” w x 8” h ( 19 3/4” w x 18 1/4” h framed ) ………$2,495.00 Canadian
Provenance: The estate of Janak Khendry
This painting is an excellent example of Gordon Appelbe Smith’s Coastal Watercolour Series, celebrated for its abstracted realism and lyrical response to the Pacific landscape. Smith blends familiar forms of the West Coast shoreline with expressive colour and soft, fluid transitions, capturing both the movement and atmosphere of land and sea. His modern approach—balancing abstraction with a strong sense of place—reflects his deep and lifelong connection to British Columbia.
Works from this series are significant in Canadian art for their innovative re-imagining of landscape painting and their lasting influence on subsequent generations of artists. Highly regarded by collectors and institutions alike, they are valued for their technical refinement, emotional resonance, and strong regional identity. This watercolour is signed SMITH, presented in a frame measuring 19 3/4 × 18 1/4 inches, with a visible image size of 9 1/2 × 8 inches, and comes from the estate of Janak Khendry, providing strong and credible provenance.
Gordon Appelbe Smith (1919–2020) was a renowned Canadian painter, printmaker, and teacher, celebrated for his modernist approach and deep connection to the landscapes of British Columbia. Born in England, Smith immigrated to Canada in 1933 and later studied at the Winnipeg School of Art and the Vancouver School of Art. His career spanned over seven decades, during which he became known for his abstracted landscapes, especially his coastal watercolour series that captured the light, atmosphere, and forms of the Pacific Northwest.
Smith was also a dedicated educator, teaching at the University of British Columbia for many years and influencing generations of Canadian artists. His work has been exhibited widely across Canada and internationally, and is held in major collections such as the National Gallery of Canada and the Vancouver Art Gallery. Smith received numerous honours, including the Order of Canada, for his significant contributions to Canadian art.
Copyright of the artist and or the artist estate.