CBC Radio One Whitehorse: Al Foster interiews Shane Wilson on Yukon Seasons Unveiling
December 03, 2008 Filed in: Yukon Seasons Heist
LINK: Listen to this CBC Radio interview on YouTube
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
Text:
Al Foster, CBC Reporter
There was a special unveiling last evening at the Canada Games Centre. The Yukon's Tourism Minister, Elaine Taylor, was on hand for the event.
Yukoners were celebrating the return of "Yukon Seasons".
The large antler sculpture was stolen more than a year ago from the Games Centre and recovered in April of this year.
Shane Wilson is the artist and carver of "Yukon Seasons" and he's in the studio with us now.
First of all, you came to town for last night's event, describe it a bit for us, would you?
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
There were some speeches, as you said, Minister Taylor gave a lovely speech, as did Mayor Buckway and I had a chance to say thank you to all the people that had been involved, including CBC by the way. And then it was unveiled and we just had a chance to see the lovely work that had been done in restoring it.
Al Foster, CBC Reporter
Now, it must feel amazing to have come this complete full circle and we've kind of closed the book on this, haven't we?
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
It is actually quite a marvelous feeling to know that it's back, that the Yukon people can see it again and that the intention to, in fact, honour Ruth McCullough, from the former Arts Branch can also be honoured and I had a chance to say a few words about that.
Al Foster, CBC Reporter
When you saw the final restoration, how did it look?
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
There was some damage that couldn't be repaired, the very tip of the nose had been chewed a little bit, but all of the discolouration has been reduced considerably, so you don't even notice that it's been discoloured. The tine that was broken has been reattached. It's not a perfect join, because it can't be. The antler had flexed somewhat. But it's back and if you didn't know that it was broken you might not even notice. So I'm totally thrilled.
And the case itself had sustained water damage and breakage of glass in the storage process and it's been completely restored by Nerissa Rosati and it looks fabulous.
Al Foster, CBC Reporter
So we've closed the book on this one. I'm curious, what are you working on now?
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
Well a few things: this summer I received a lovely private commission to do, the gentleman described, "something like Seasons." That's going to take a few years to do. I'll be working on that in the design phase for the next year or so.
In the meantime, I'm completing another commission, which I call "Self Portrait". It's a mixed media, carved musk ox set of horns on the skull plate, so the horns are together and the skull isn't really visible. And that will have a bronze element to it, a bronze wolf skull which is also carved, altered. And it will rest on a jade base.
It's going to be donated to the Yukon Arts Centre Gallery. And that donation is conjunction with Earl Bennett. We're working on the project together. He is a former carver and I think he wanted to work with me just to make something and donate it as a legacy to the people of the Yukon as well.
Al Foster, CBC Reporter
Good to talk to you again!
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
Thank you.
Al Foster, CBC Reporter
Shane Wilson is carver and sculptor. Last evening his antler sculpture was unveiled for a second time at the Canada Games Centre complex.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
Shane Wilson is the artist and carver of "Yukon Seasons" and he's in the studio with us now.
First of all, you came to town for last night's event, describe it a bit for us, would you?
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
There were some speeches, as you said, Minister Taylor gave a lovely speech, as did Mayor Buckway and I had a chance to say thank you to all the people that had been involved, including CBC by the way. And then it was unveiled and we just had a chance to see the lovely work that had been done in restoring it.
Al Foster, CBC Reporter
Now, it must feel amazing to have come this complete full circle and we've kind of closed the book on this, haven't we?
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
It is actually quite a marvelous feeling to know that it's back, that the Yukon people can see it again and that the intention to, in fact, honour Ruth McCullough, from the former Arts Branch can also be honoured and I had a chance to say a few words about that.
Al Foster, CBC Reporter
When you saw the final restoration, how did it look?
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
There was some damage that couldn't be repaired, the very tip of the nose had been chewed a little bit, but all of the discolouration has been reduced considerably, so you don't even notice that it's been discoloured. The tine that was broken has been reattached. It's not a perfect join, because it can't be. The antler had flexed somewhat. But it's back and if you didn't know that it was broken you might not even notice. So I'm totally thrilled.
And the case itself had sustained water damage and breakage of glass in the storage process and it's been completely restored by Nerissa Rosati and it looks fabulous.
Al Foster, CBC Reporter
So we've closed the book on this one. I'm curious, what are you working on now?
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
Well a few things: this summer I received a lovely private commission to do, the gentleman described, "something like Seasons." That's going to take a few years to do. I'll be working on that in the design phase for the next year or so.
In the meantime, I'm completing another commission, which I call "Self Portrait". It's a mixed media, carved musk ox set of horns on the skull plate, so the horns are together and the skull isn't really visible. And that will have a bronze element to it, a bronze wolf skull which is also carved, altered. And it will rest on a jade base.
It's going to be donated to the Yukon Arts Centre Gallery. And that donation is conjunction with Earl Bennett. We're working on the project together. He is a former carver and I think he wanted to work with me just to make something and donate it as a legacy to the people of the Yukon as well.
Al Foster, CBC Reporter
Good to talk to you again!
Shane Wilson, Sculptor
Thank you.
Al Foster, CBC Reporter
Shane Wilson is carver and sculptor. Last evening his antler sculpture was unveiled for a second time at the Canada Games Centre complex.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)