The Montreal Gazette primes its readers for the Canadian art sales taking place in the next two weeks. Some big collections are coming to market with works from the country’s most prized painters:

Canadian art has not hit the stratospheric peaks reached in other art markets, in part because it’s not widely collected outside the country. But on the other hand, Canadian art was insulated in the economic downturn and did not experience the same price corrections seen elsewhere […] As a result, blue-chip works continue to climb. Top works by Harris jumped from $1.38-million in 2005 to $3.51-million in 2009. Thomson’s work has gone from an average price of $247,000 in 2005 to $760,000 in 2009.

“In the last 10 years, the Canadian art market has continued to expand and every season we see new people coming into the market,” said Mr. Heffel.

While the Group of Seven artists and Canadian favourite Emily Carr still dominate the auction catalogues, art from post-Second World War artists is rapidly appreciating, he added.

Paul-Émile Borduas and Jean-Paul Riopelle have been hot for some time, but an exhibition last year in Newmarket, Ont., guest curated by Roald Nasgaard, generated interest in other “Automatiste” group of artists.

Art Investing Perks Up (Montreal Gazette)