This series of paintings, The Rangitangs by Len Whalen, is a comedic look at the daily routine of the men that lived in float camps and worked in the forest industry that was the foundation of the Province of British Columbia. The subjects of the paintings are the men Whalen worked beside and the bunkhouse experiences he shared with them. It was a life characterized by the hardships and dangers of a gruelling industry, punctuated by brief visits to town – usually Vancouver – for a much needed diversion.

The collection captures the courage and resilience required of those who worked in these camps, along with the work ethic and good humor that the hardships demanded. The paintings illuminate a unique time and place, and sheds light on both the painter and those painted.