Kurelek's $30,000 Roofers painting could rise above the rest at Heffel's art auction

As we've mentioned previously, Canadian art is often an underrated area for collectors and investors to get involved with. Whilst the values involved are not like those of either Andy Warhol or the Old Masters, the market is on an upward trend and offers opportunities for investors.

Heffel is of course one of the key players in that market, and had a very satisfying 2010. Their Fall 2010 auction, held November 25 in Toronto, achieved the fifth highest dollar value in Canadian art auction history and set a record for the highest dollar value Post War & Contemporary sale in Canadian auction history.

Not sky-high, but close enough - Kurelek's Roofers painting

Their sale at the end of this month is divided as follows: the first & second sessions are Canadian Post-War & Contemporary Art, the third session is Post-War & Contemporary Photography,  the fourth session presents Important Works by Master Printmaker David Blackwood whilst the fifth session: Important Works from the Estate of Albert Dumouchel.

A highlight from the early sections is William Kurelek's Roofers. The piece is signed and dated 1974 - just three years before the artist's untimely death. Mixed media on board, it is expected to bring CAN$20,000-$30,000 (up to US$30,900) in the sale, which takes place online, closing on March 31^st.