Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement on the passing of West Vancouver artist Gordon Smith:

“This past weekend, Canada lost an icon of British Columbia’s cultural community, Gordon Smith.

“In his seven-decade career as an artist and educator, Smith won international recognition and numerous prestigious awards, including the Order of Canada, the Order of B.C. and the Audain Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the Visual Arts.

“His extraordinary work will live on in galleries and private collections across Canada and around the world – as well as in many murals and public installations throughout the Lower Mainland.

“Smith was vocal and passionate about the social value of art. His legacy will continue to influence and inspire future generations of artists through the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation for Young Artists and the Artists for Kids program in North Vancouver.

“We mourn the loss of this great artist, educator, philanthropist and Canadian.

“On behalf of British Columbians, I extend my condolences to his family and friends at this time.”