"Carver Thrilled by Recovery of Antlers" - Whitehorse Star
April 11, 2008 Filed in: Yukon Seasons Heist
by Sarah Niman
Star Reporter
The artist of a recently-returned antler carving says he is thrilled the story has a happy ending.
Shane Wilson is the artist behind 'Yukon Seasons,' a carved set of antlers that had been stolen from the Canada Games Centre last September.
The antlers were returned to the RCMP by an anonymous person Tuesday.
"I heard yesterday; Laurel Parry called me up and let me know they'd been recovered," Wilson said today from his Nanaimo, B.C. home. Parry is the territorial government's arts manager.
"I'm thrilled!" Wilson said. With art, he added, you can "expect this kind of thing from time to time, but I never expected it to happen in my own lifetime!"
Having his artwork pilfered was a back-handed compliment, he said, as it indicates the work was adored enough for someone to risk stealing it.
"It's better to have it back on display for the public," he said. "The story has come full-circle."
The antlers are now with Parry. Her team is working on fixing a piece of the antler that had broken off when the art was stolen. They are also checking the carving in detail to ensure it hasn't been damaged in any other way.
Art Manhire, manager of the Canada Games Centre's indoor facilities, said the antler piece was found at the scene of the crime and handed over to the RCMP.
Wilson said he'd be glad to fly up and help restore the carving, if need be. Otherwise, he looks forward to seeing 'Yukon Seasons' on display again when he makes a trip up to the Yukon this summer.
He said he plans to be in Haines Junction, where a series of bronze sculptures he donated to the village's convention centre art collection will be on display.
Manhire said it will be up to the government, which owns the carving, to decide whether to display it at the Games Centre again.
Parry said the plan is to have the carving up and on display again this summer.
Right now, experts are going over the carving in detail to determine if there are any fine cracks or other disturbances.
"To the naked eye, everything looks fine except for the piece that had broken off in the theft," she said. The carving is also darker than the piece retrieved from the Games Centre.
"We're trying to determine just what that means, but it was stored somewhere that darkened the antlers" she said.
The team will also have to restore the case the antlers had been displayed in, as it was broken during the theft.
Parry said during the detailed examination, they hope to fine traces of substances that may help solve the mystery of where the antlers were.
The only clue so far, said Wilson, is that he heard people had seen the carving for sale briefly on a used furniture website.
Police continue to investigate the theft, which occurred Sept. 15, 2007 during a power outage.
Anyone with information is asked to call the detachment at 667-5555 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
"I'm thrilled!" Wilson said. With art, he added, you can "expect this kind of thing from time to time, but I never expected it to happen in my own lifetime!"
Having his artwork pilfered was a back-handed compliment, he said, as it indicates the work was adored enough for someone to risk stealing it.
"It's better to have it back on display for the public," he said. "The story has come full-circle."
The antlers are now with Parry. Her team is working on fixing a piece of the antler that had broken off when the art was stolen. They are also checking the carving in detail to ensure it hasn't been damaged in any other way.
Art Manhire, manager of the Canada Games Centre's indoor facilities, said the antler piece was found at the scene of the crime and handed over to the RCMP.
Wilson said he'd be glad to fly up and help restore the carving, if need be. Otherwise, he looks forward to seeing 'Yukon Seasons' on display again when he makes a trip up to the Yukon this summer.
He said he plans to be in Haines Junction, where a series of bronze sculptures he donated to the village's convention centre art collection will be on display.
Manhire said it will be up to the government, which owns the carving, to decide whether to display it at the Games Centre again.
Parry said the plan is to have the carving up and on display again this summer.
Right now, experts are going over the carving in detail to determine if there are any fine cracks or other disturbances.
"To the naked eye, everything looks fine except for the piece that had broken off in the theft," she said. The carving is also darker than the piece retrieved from the Games Centre.
"We're trying to determine just what that means, but it was stored somewhere that darkened the antlers" she said.
The team will also have to restore the case the antlers had been displayed in, as it was broken during the theft.
Parry said during the detailed examination, they hope to fine traces of substances that may help solve the mystery of where the antlers were.
The only clue so far, said Wilson, is that he heard people had seen the carving for sale briefly on a used furniture website.
Police continue to investigate the theft, which occurred Sept. 15, 2007 during a power outage.
Anyone with information is asked to call the detachment at 667-5555 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)