The Audain Art Museum in Whistler, British Columbia, is presenting two concurrent retrospective exhibitions to celebrate the 100th birthday of celebrated Japanese-Canadian artist Takao Tanabe and the museum's 10th anniversary. Curated by Kiriko Watanabe, "Vistas: From Takao Tanabe's Travels" is already open, while "Takao Tanabe 100: Inside Passage" debuts June 13, showcasing over 60 works spanning six decades—from hard-edge abstraction to intricately detailed landscapes. The exhibitions highlight lesser-known pieces to offer a comprehensive view of Tanabe's career, including standout works like "Machu Picchu" (1990–2012) and "Suffolk Village" (1996–97).
This dual exhibition matters because Tanabe is a pivotal figure in Canadian art: he advocated for the creation of the Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts, helped establish the Audain Prize for the Visual Arts, and received both honors himself. His 100th birthday celebration not only honors a prolific artist whose work bridges abstraction and realism but also underscores the Audain Art Museum's role in preserving and promoting British Columbia's artistic heritage. The shows offer audiences a rare opportunity to trace Tanabe's evolution across decades and continents, emphasizing the psychological depth and meticulous craft behind his landscapes and abstract compositions.