Takao Tanabe has been an important figure in Canadian painting for over 60 years.  Born in British Columbia in 1926, Tanabe studied in Europe, the United States and Japan. Following a decade as head of the art program and artist-in-residence at the Banff Centre, he returned to British Columbia in 1980 where he currently lives and works.

Tanabe’s work is in public and private collections including: National Gallery of Canada; Tate Museum, U.K.; Glenbow Museum, Calgary; Vancouver Art Gallery; Canada Council Art Bank; Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and Art Gallery of Ontario.

Takao Tanabe is the recipient of several honorary degrees and of the Governor General’s Award in the Visual and Media Arts.   In 2005, the retrospective Takao Tanabe was organized by the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and the Vancouver Art Gallery and toured nationally.