Blockbusters the trend at VAG through the '00s

Reduced government contributions sent galleries looking for alternate ways of boosting revenues in the '00s and what worked in Vancouver has been the blockbuster show.

A 2002 show featuring Emily Carr, Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keefe was highly successful and led to more shows in a similar vein.

Dali, Monet and other modernists were the headliners in '07, setting the VAG's all-time record of 7,600 visitors in one day, and this past year featured appearances by Vermeer and Rembrandt.


Pine on the corner, by Jeff Wall, 1990

Vancouver artists did attract some international attention as well. Jeff Wall, Ken Lum, Rodney Graham, Ian Wallace, Roy Arden, Stan Douglas and Brian Jungen were among the many artists from Vancouver who were part of major exhibitions in private galleries and public institutions around the world during the decade.

The other phenomenon of the decade in Canadian Art, from the Vancouver perspective, has been the ascent of local auctioneers Robert Heffel and brother David. They have auctions in both Vancouver and Toronto and hold the record for sales at auction, $23 million which was set in May 2007.

(based on an article by Keven Griffin in the Vancouver Sun)