was born in Budapest, Hungary, but soon
moved to Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. Already in his school years
he caught the attention of his teachers by richly illlustrating
the margins of his note-books wiht fine pen and ink drawings.
His art education began in Vienna, later in Bratislava and from
1945-50 he studied figure painting and printmaking at the Academy
of Fine Arts in Prague, where he received Honorary award for figure
composition. To become more acquainted with the masters he admired
most and to study their techniques in depth he executed a number
of copies of paintings by Corot, Velasquez, Goya and others.
Though portraiture and figure painting has always been a major
part of Joseph's work - he finds outdoor sketching and painting
a rewarding experience. In Czechoslovakia he exhibited his work
in solo and group shows and was a member of Czechoslovak Federation
of Artists.
After the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia he came to Canada
and settled in Vancouver B.C. He began to show his work in newly
created Gastown in the Exposition Gallery, where he had solo shows
and participated in group exhibitions until 1973. He exhibited
throughout B.C. extensively. He was represented by Alex Fraser
Galleries. Joseph's paintings are in many private and corporate
collections (Coast Paper Company, Davies & Company, Dr.
Mathissen's Collection etc.) Among prominent Canadians, who
commissioned portraits by Joseph Gabanek are Dr. Hugh Keenleyside,
former chairman of B.C. Hydro, Hon. John Nicholson, former Lieut.
Governor of B.C., in Government House, Victoria, Prof. Dr. VI.
Krajina, University of B.C. Soon after he settled in Canada Joseph
was commissioned to execute a life size copy of Rembrandt's Night
Watch, which was much admired in former Rembrandt Hotel, Vancouver.
Throughout his artistic development Joseph did not let himself
be distracted by each new trend and movement in art, but rather
tried to follow his own independent way of expression and destination.
His work reflects the refinement and maturity of European tradition.
He works in oils, pen and ink with washes, for portraits and character
sketches he uses charcoal and conte in which he developed a very
unique and refined technique.
