Shows and Unveilings
Calgary Wildfowl and Carving Art Festival - July 6-8, 2012
May 02, 2012
If you are in Calgary for the 100th Anniversary of the Calgary Stampede, plan to stop by the Calgary Wildfowl Carving and Art Festival, July 6-8, 2012. The event is sponsored by Arts on Atlantic Gallery.
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto - Commission
February 10, 2012
“I have great hopes for the new Four Seasons Hotel being built in Toronto - this will be an amazing showcase for our Canadian talent.” James Robertson
I have been commissioned by James Robertson Art Consultants to create an abstract sculpture from two moose antlers for the lobby of the brand new Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Toronto. What a spectacular honour to be a part of the stellar Canadian art collection curated by the James Robertson group for the hotel's design team of Yabu Pushelberg.
The grand opening of the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is planned for August 2012. The hotel is located at Bay Street and Yorkville Avenue in Toronto's Yorkville district.
"The new Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, soaring 55 storeys in the heart of Yorkville, Toronto's most glamourous shopping and restaurant quarter. This brand-new luxury Four Seasons hotel blends warm sophistication with spectacular design in this vibrant international city."
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto - Lobby Floor Plan (with proposed location of 'Candle Ice Two' by Shane Wilson)
I have been commissioned by James Robertson Art Consultants to create an abstract sculpture from two moose antlers for the lobby of the brand new Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Toronto. What a spectacular honour to be a part of the stellar Canadian art collection curated by the James Robertson group for the hotel's design team of Yabu Pushelberg.
The grand opening of the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is planned for August 2012. The hotel is located at Bay Street and Yorkville Avenue in Toronto's Yorkville district.
"The new Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, soaring 55 storeys in the heart of Yorkville, Toronto's most glamourous shopping and restaurant quarter. This brand-new luxury Four Seasons hotel blends warm sophistication with spectacular design in this vibrant international city."
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto - Lobby Floor Plan (with proposed location of 'Candle Ice Two' by Shane Wilson)
Whitehorse Star - Yukon Seasons Ready for Display
December 10, 2011
Whitehorse Star photo by Vince Fedoroff
READY FOR DISPLAY - Valery Monahan, left, a conservator, and Garnet Muething, an art curator, touch up Yukon Seasons at the Canada Games Centre Tuesday. The artwork, which at one point was a theft target, was removed for restoration after the June 24 fire at the Centre, and was reinstalled Tuesday. All the community artworks have now been reinstalled.
Yukon Seasons Installed at Canada Games Centre Once Again
December 08, 2011
photo credit - Paul Gowdie, Yukon Government
Yukon Seasons is shown following its second restoration, this time after a fire at the Canada Games Centre. From left to right, with Yukon Seasons are: Catherine Grashom, Department of Tourism and Culture, Arts Section, Yukon Territorial Government (YTG), Valery Monahan, Conservator, YTG, Garnet Muething, Art Curator, Department of Tourism and Culture, Arts Section, YTG, and Mike Nixon, Minister of Tourism and Culture, YTG.
photo credit - Paul Gowdie, Yukon Government
Valery Monahan, Conservator, recently completed cleaning Yukon Seasons of smoke from the Games Centre fire and also took advantage of the opportunity to redo the repair of the broken tine, which occurred during the 2007 theft. (See the image above.)
photo credit - Paul Gowdie, Yukon Government
Garnet Muething, Art Curator, is overseeing repairs and renovations to the display case which houses Yukon Seasons - adding low heat lighting and making certain structural changes.
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival: Sculpted Dimensions Exhibition - August 11-14, 2011
August 11, 2011
The following images were taken during the Sculpted Dimensions Exhibition during the recent Buckhorn Fine Art Festival, in Buckhorn, Ontario, Canada on August 11-14, 2011. One of the featured sculptures on exhibition were the 'Seahorses, 2007" by Shane Wilson.
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival - Sculpted Dimensions Exhibition, photo by David Foyn
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival - Sculpted Dimensions Exhibition, photo by David Foyn
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival - Sculpted Dimensions Exhibition, 'Seahorses, 2007 by Shane Wilson photo by David Foyn
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival - Sculpted Dimensions Exhibition, 'Male Seahorse, 2007' by Shane Wilson, photo by John McFeeters
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival - Sculpted Dimensions Exhibition, 'Female Seahorse, 2007' by Shane Wilson, photo by John McFeeters
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival - Sculpted Dimensions Exhibition, photo by David Foyn
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival - Sculpted Dimensions Exhibition, photo by David Foyn
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival - Sculpted Dimensions Exhibition, 'Seahorses, 2007 by Shane Wilson photo by David Foyn
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival - Sculpted Dimensions Exhibition, 'Male Seahorse, 2007' by Shane Wilson, photo by John McFeeters
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival - Sculpted Dimensions Exhibition, 'Female Seahorse, 2007' by Shane Wilson, photo by John McFeeters
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival: Sculpted Dimensions Exhibition
July 28, 2011
BUCKHORN FINE ART FESTIVAL - AUGUST 11-14, 2011
"The highly innovative and intricate carvings in antler by Shane Wilson combine the natural elements of the material and wildlife with abstract symbols. The resulting sculpture attains a definite sense of both traditional and contemporary sensibilities."
Algonquin Art Centre - Gala Opening
June 18, 2011
Shane travelled to the Algonquin Art Centre in the midst of Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada for the Gala Opening of the 2011 Season.
The three recently completed "Silvi-Skullpture Series" bronze skulls (two black bear skulls and one wolf skull) form part of the United Nations Themed "International Year of Forests" art exhibit at the gallery.
It was a real pleasure to meet the gallery owners, staff, fellow artists and patrons.
The exhibition will be on display until October 16, 2011.
Dawson Council Donates Two Shane Wilson Broaches
April 27, 2011
MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING #C11-11
of the Council of the City of Dawson
called for 7:00p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in the Town of the City of Dawson Council Chambers.
PRESENT:
Mayor Peter Jenkins, Councillor Stephen Johnson, Councillor Wayne Potoroka, Councillor Rick Reimer, Councillor
Bill Kendrick (arrived at 7:04PM), CAO Jeff Renaud, Secretary Chelsea Parent
NEW BUSINESS
d) Association of Yukon Communities Auction Items
It was proposed that the CAO be granted permission to donate two (2) Mammoth Ivory broaches to the AYC AGM auction.
C11-11-15 Moved by Councillor Potoroka, Seconded by Councillor Johnson that the City of Dawson donate two (2) Mammoth Ivory broaches to the AYC for their AGM auction.
"Dawson City Broaches, 2000" by Shane Wilson (carved mammoth ivory)
Dawson Minutes-C11-11 April 27, 2011
of the Council of the City of Dawson
called for 7:00p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in the Town of the City of Dawson Council Chambers.
PRESENT:
Mayor Peter Jenkins, Councillor Stephen Johnson, Councillor Wayne Potoroka, Councillor Rick Reimer, Councillor
Bill Kendrick (arrived at 7:04PM), CAO Jeff Renaud, Secretary Chelsea Parent
NEW BUSINESS
d) Association of Yukon Communities Auction Items
It was proposed that the CAO be granted permission to donate two (2) Mammoth Ivory broaches to the AYC AGM auction.
C11-11-15 Moved by Councillor Potoroka, Seconded by Councillor Johnson that the City of Dawson donate two (2) Mammoth Ivory broaches to the AYC for their AGM auction.
"Dawson City Broaches, 2000" by Shane Wilson (carved mammoth ivory)
Dawson Minutes-C11-11 April 27, 2011
'Gaia, 2009' Unveiled in Haines Junction
November 21, 2009
LINK: Watch Shane's Artist Talk about Gaia
Text:
Mike Crawshay, Haines Junction Art Acquisition Committee
I don't know if everybody is here but we are six people: Julie Bauer, Patti Moore, Bridget Gatsby, Wolf Reidl, Eric Stinson and myself. It's one of the most fun committees I've ever been on because we just get to pic what we like. It really is fun. Lots of committees are all sorts of hard work but we give all the hard work to Darlene Sillery - she does all that stuff for us, and we basically get to pic what we like and we hope you like it too.
Say when! (Unveiling ... Applause)
Mike Crawshay and Wolf Riedl unveil 'Gaia' (photo by Steve Osborne)
Come on out Shane. On behalf of the Art Acquisition Committee and the Community of Haines Junction, thank you! (Applause)
Would you like to say something about the work?
'Gaia' receives a warm welcome upon its unveiling in Haines Junction (photo by Steve Osborne)
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
It's an abstract piece, as you can see, with carved moose antlers and the skull is made out of bronze and the base is bronze as well. The antlers just attach onto the skull.
Before I go any further, though, I just want to thank the Art Acquisition Committee and Council for having the foresight to support the Arts.
Shane Wilson, Sculptor, explains some of the meaning of 'Gaia' during his artist's talk (photo by Steve Osborne)
It says so much about the community and it says so much about the community to the world, as well, that people here think art is important. I think that will bode well for the future of your community. People will want to be part of this community because of its interest in art and culture. Read More...
Text:
Mike Crawshay, Haines Junction Art Acquisition Committee
I don't know if everybody is here but we are six people: Julie Bauer, Patti Moore, Bridget Gatsby, Wolf Reidl, Eric Stinson and myself. It's one of the most fun committees I've ever been on because we just get to pic what we like. It really is fun. Lots of committees are all sorts of hard work but we give all the hard work to Darlene Sillery - she does all that stuff for us, and we basically get to pic what we like and we hope you like it too.
Say when! (Unveiling ... Applause)
Mike Crawshay and Wolf Riedl unveil 'Gaia' (photo by Steve Osborne)
Come on out Shane. On behalf of the Art Acquisition Committee and the Community of Haines Junction, thank you! (Applause)
Would you like to say something about the work?
'Gaia' receives a warm welcome upon its unveiling in Haines Junction (photo by Steve Osborne)
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
It's an abstract piece, as you can see, with carved moose antlers and the skull is made out of bronze and the base is bronze as well. The antlers just attach onto the skull.
Before I go any further, though, I just want to thank the Art Acquisition Committee and Council for having the foresight to support the Arts.
Shane Wilson, Sculptor, explains some of the meaning of 'Gaia' during his artist's talk (photo by Steve Osborne)
It says so much about the community and it says so much about the community to the world, as well, that people here think art is important. I think that will bode well for the future of your community. People will want to be part of this community because of its interest in art and culture. Read More...
'Self Portrait, 2009' and 'Candle Ice, 1999' Unveiled at Yukon Arts Centre
November 18, 2009
LINK: Watch Shane's Artist Talk at the Yukon Arts Centre
Text:
Mary Bradshaw, Director, Yukon Arts Centre Gallery
Beside me here is Shane Wilson, as many of you know. He is a long-time Yukoner, although he has defected to Vancouver Island, B.C., although he still definitely has a strong connection here and we are really excited to have his pieces of art in our collection to share with you and Yukoners.
Shane Wilson, Sculptor, introduced by Mary Bradshaw, YAC Gallery Director (photo by Kathy Bowers)
Shane is a master carver in antler, bone, horn, mammoth tusk, stone and now bronze. This is actually my first time seeing his bronze work, so it's quite exciting.
Shane has donated "Candle Ice", which is just around the corner. This piece has been in our collection since December, 2008. We just quietly put it out there and so now is our official, "Look, here it is!" A brand new piece that's just, literally, finished this year, "Self Portrait", is on the plinth. That's musk ox horn, bronze and jade. Shane's going to talk about each of the pieces individually after I'm done here.
This piece here, with the moose antlers, is going to Haines Junction and we are just getting a sneak peak. It's official unveiling is Saturday in Haines Junction.
So, let me hand it over to Shane and just say, more than anything, maybe we can give him a really big hand of applause, it's just a really big thank you! Shane is tremendously kind, he's humble, and super talented and we're really excited to be working with him.
Piers McDonald and Shane Wilson, Sculptor, at YAC Gallery unveiling (photo by Jack Bowers)
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
Art, at least art as I know it, comes out of the right brain, so it's not language based. There are concepts and ideas that percolate in our right brains that come out as images, that come out as flashes of inspiration, that come out as all kinds of different things.
And my art, at least the art you are seeing here tonight, is primarily that, it's right brainish kind of stuff. And then what happens is that as you create it, sometimes you don't really know why, but as you go along your left brain figures out what you're doing and provides a narrative. Read More...
Text:
Mary Bradshaw, Director, Yukon Arts Centre Gallery
Beside me here is Shane Wilson, as many of you know. He is a long-time Yukoner, although he has defected to Vancouver Island, B.C., although he still definitely has a strong connection here and we are really excited to have his pieces of art in our collection to share with you and Yukoners.
Shane Wilson, Sculptor, introduced by Mary Bradshaw, YAC Gallery Director (photo by Kathy Bowers)
Shane is a master carver in antler, bone, horn, mammoth tusk, stone and now bronze. This is actually my first time seeing his bronze work, so it's quite exciting.
Shane has donated "Candle Ice", which is just around the corner. This piece has been in our collection since December, 2008. We just quietly put it out there and so now is our official, "Look, here it is!" A brand new piece that's just, literally, finished this year, "Self Portrait", is on the plinth. That's musk ox horn, bronze and jade. Shane's going to talk about each of the pieces individually after I'm done here.
This piece here, with the moose antlers, is going to Haines Junction and we are just getting a sneak peak. It's official unveiling is Saturday in Haines Junction.
So, let me hand it over to Shane and just say, more than anything, maybe we can give him a really big hand of applause, it's just a really big thank you! Shane is tremendously kind, he's humble, and super talented and we're really excited to be working with him.
Piers McDonald and Shane Wilson, Sculptor, at YAC Gallery unveiling (photo by Jack Bowers)
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
Art, at least art as I know it, comes out of the right brain, so it's not language based. There are concepts and ideas that percolate in our right brains that come out as images, that come out as flashes of inspiration, that come out as all kinds of different things.
And my art, at least the art you are seeing here tonight, is primarily that, it's right brainish kind of stuff. And then what happens is that as you create it, sometimes you don't really know why, but as you go along your left brain figures out what you're doing and provides a narrative. Read More...
CHON Interview with Shane Wilson about Sculpture Unveilings
November 18, 2009
LINK: Listen to this CHON FM Radio interview on YouTube
Text:
Peter Novak, CHON FM Host - Canadian Roots
It's exactly sixteen minutes before one o'clock on Canadian Roots, from CHON FM.
This evening in Whitehorse, at the Yukon Arts Centre, there will be an unveiling of some new works of sculpture. Joining me now is the artist, Shane Wilson. Read More...
Yukon Arts Centre Gallery Preparation Room
November 17, 2009
'Self Portrait' and 'Gaia' are assembled in the Yukon Arts Centre Gallery Preparation Room following their journey north to the Yukon, prior to the unveiling of 'Self Portrait' on November 18, 2009, at which 'Gaia' will also be featured.
Two Yukon Sculpture Unveilings
November 13, 2009
I'd like to share two Yukon unveilings to which you are invited:
In Whitehorse, November 18 at 7:00PM at the Yukon Arts Centre Gallery, 'Self Portrait' by Shane Wilson will be unveiled. Two years in the making, 'Self Portrait' is a sculpture created from carved musk ox horns, a carved bronze wolf skull, resting on a jade base. 'Self Portrait' will be donated jointly by Earl Bennett and Shane Wilson, in full, to the Yukon Arts Centre Permanent Art Collection.
In Haines Junction, November 21, starting at 5:00PM, 'Gaia: A Moose Skullpture' by Shane Wilson will be unveiled. 'Gaia' is a large bronze and antler sculpture created for the Haines Junction Permanent Art Collection and will be donated in full by the artist. The unveiling is part of a larger community celebration.
In Whitehorse, November 18 at 7:00PM at the Yukon Arts Centre Gallery, 'Self Portrait' by Shane Wilson will be unveiled. Two years in the making, 'Self Portrait' is a sculpture created from carved musk ox horns, a carved bronze wolf skull, resting on a jade base. 'Self Portrait' will be donated jointly by Earl Bennett and Shane Wilson, in full, to the Yukon Arts Centre Permanent Art Collection.
In Haines Junction, November 21, starting at 5:00PM, 'Gaia: A Moose Skullpture' by Shane Wilson will be unveiled. 'Gaia' is a large bronze and antler sculpture created for the Haines Junction Permanent Art Collection and will be donated in full by the artist. The unveiling is part of a larger community celebration.
'Skullpture Series' - Unveiling in Permanent Home
May 14, 2009
Darlene Sillery, Acting CAO of the Municipality of Haines Junction, sends the following pics and commentary from the unveiling of the carved bronze Skullpture Series:
"The unveiling of the carved bronze Skullpture Series in Haines Junction, took place during a concert by Fred Eaglesmith at intermission. The concert had 106 people in attendance, some of whom were present for the unveiling of the carved bronze sculpture and almost all dropped by during the intermission and following the concert to look at the sculpture.
The chair of the Art Acquisition Selection Committee, Councillor Mike Crawshay, spoke prior to unveiling the carved bronze sculpture. He explained the role of the Committee and talked about the four art acquisitions to date and the donation of the bronze Skullpture Series to the Village of Haines Junction. He also explained the process that resulted in the bronze Skullpture Series display cabinets being built.
The bronze sculpture was covered with tablecloths draped from the stair railings. When these were lifted following Mike's talk, there were collective oohs and aahs all around!
The carved bronze Skullpture Series was very well received. The sculptures look stunning in their new cabinets!"
(bronze skullpture carving, bronze skull sculpture)
LINKS - Skullpture Series Information Sheets on Display:
SkullptureSeries2007
SkullptureSeries-WIP
SkullptureSeries-Bio
"The unveiling of the carved bronze Skullpture Series in Haines Junction, took place during a concert by Fred Eaglesmith at intermission. The concert had 106 people in attendance, some of whom were present for the unveiling of the carved bronze sculpture and almost all dropped by during the intermission and following the concert to look at the sculpture.
The chair of the Art Acquisition Selection Committee, Councillor Mike Crawshay, spoke prior to unveiling the carved bronze sculpture. He explained the role of the Committee and talked about the four art acquisitions to date and the donation of the bronze Skullpture Series to the Village of Haines Junction. He also explained the process that resulted in the bronze Skullpture Series display cabinets being built.
The bronze sculpture was covered with tablecloths draped from the stair railings. When these were lifted following Mike's talk, there were collective oohs and aahs all around!
The carved bronze Skullpture Series was very well received. The sculptures look stunning in their new cabinets!"
(bronze skullpture carving, bronze skull sculpture)
LINKS - Skullpture Series Information Sheets on Display:
SkullptureSeries2007
SkullptureSeries-WIP
SkullptureSeries-Bio
Artist Reunited and Skullpture Donation
July 02, 2008
LINK: Listen to this CBC Radio interview on YouTube
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
Text:
Cheryl Kawaja, Host, CBC Whitehorse Noon Show
Well Shane Wilson is unveiling a new work of art and hoping to put an old one back together.
The former Yukoner is now based in British Columbia. He's back in the Territory to unveil a series of sculptures in Haines Junction.
He's also hoping to take a look at a carving that was damaged in a recent theft. "Yukon Seasons" is an elaborately carved moose head, lifted from the Canada Games Centre last year. After being on the wanted list for several months it was finally returned but the thieves had damaged the piece.
Shane Wilson obviously has a lot on his plate but he's taken some time out to chat with me here this afternoon. Read More...
'Skullpture Series', 2007 by Shane Wilson - Preliminary Unveiling
July 01, 2008
In 2007, the Haines Junction Permanent Art Collection acquired the 'Skullpture Series' (as a donation in full by the artist), and will mount the series permanently in the beautiful St. Elias Convention Centre, which overlooks the majestic Auriol Range of the St. Elias Mountains within Kluane National Park, Haines Junction, Yukon.
A preliminary unveiling took place on Canada Day, July 1, 2008. Shane flew to the Yukon for the occasion, courtesy of the Municipality of Haines Junction. The Westmark Whitehorse provided accommodation while he was in Whitehorse.
Claire Cherepak takes a closer look at 'Human 2', carved bronze by Shane Wilson
Shane Wilson speaking about his recently created 'Skullpture Series', donated in full to the Municipality of Haines Junction to be displayed at the St. Elias Convention Centre, unveiled on Canada Day, 2008
Residents of Haines Junction take a look at 'Skullpture Series', on display at the St. Elias Convention Centre, July 1, 2008
(bronze carving, carved bronze sculpture)
A preliminary unveiling took place on Canada Day, July 1, 2008. Shane flew to the Yukon for the occasion, courtesy of the Municipality of Haines Junction. The Westmark Whitehorse provided accommodation while he was in Whitehorse.
Claire Cherepak takes a closer look at 'Human 2', carved bronze by Shane Wilson
Shane Wilson speaking about his recently created 'Skullpture Series', donated in full to the Municipality of Haines Junction to be displayed at the St. Elias Convention Centre, unveiled on Canada Day, 2008
Residents of Haines Junction take a look at 'Skullpture Series', on display at the St. Elias Convention Centre, July 1, 2008
(bronze carving, carved bronze sculpture)