The new Tanabe Prize for B.C. painters is going to Vancouver's Philippe Raphanel.

Raphanel, who's represented by Vancouver's Equinox Gallery, is known for his extremely labour-intensive processes, and his recent canvases swirl with abstract imagery that evokes oceans and celestial maps.

Paris-born, he immigrated here in 1981. He was also awarded the prestigious VIVA award in 1996. He has taught at Simon Fraser University and is a lecturer at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

Named for celebrated B.C. artist Takao Tanabe, the prize brings the artist $7,500 and is administered by the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

“I wanted the prize to recognize an artist in British Columbia, where I have lived and worked for most of my life,” Tanabe said in a press statement, “and recognize someone mid-career, when an artist’s work is often overlooked.”

A reception for the award will be held at the Charles H. Scott Gallery at Emily Carr University in Vancouver on January 13.