PROVENANCE
Estate of the Artist, Victoria
Dominion Gallery, Montreal
Private Collection, Vancouver
Fine Canadian Art, Heffel Fine Art Auction House, November 25, 2004, lot 167
Private Collection, United States
Fine Canadian Art, Heffel Fine Art Auction House, May 28, 2014, lot 155
Private Collection, British Columbia

LITERATURE
Doris Shadbolt, The Art of Emily Carr, 1979, page 40

This impressive painting features one of Emily Carr’s core themes—nature as life force. In her forest scenes, Carr focused on the varied expressions of space, light and movement. Doris Shadbolt aptly describes these elements: “space, inviting or expansive, or, in its absence, crowding; light, glowing or radiant, or its mysterious counterpart, dark; movement and its compulsive sweep or its nervous tremble…” Carr’s focus is the central tree, with its strong roots, sturdy trunk and lush foliage forming a vibrant green roof. Carr contrasts the dark-toned solid form with a glow of light descending through the canopy, illuminating a screen of slender-trunked young trees behind. Carr often contrasted mature trees with younger ones to reflect the life cycle of the forest. Sweeping brush-strokes emphasize the breath of life present in everything. The dominant palette of green and yellow is enlivened by warm notes of mauve, pale blue and orange, revealing Carr’s more daring approaches to colour following her 1911 trip to France. West Coast Forest Tree is a dynamic play of contrasts, fully expressing the vitality of the forest.

All prices are in Canadian Dollars