'Recovered Artwork Repaired, is Returned to the Games Centre' - Whitehorse Star
December 03, 2008 Filed in: Yukon Seasons Heist
Star Photo by Vince Fedoroff
Good As New - Artist Shane Wilson attended Tuesday evening's unveiling of "Yukon Seasons" at the Canada Games Centre. The carving he created was stolen, recovered and needed some repairs before being placed back in the Centre.
Admiring Duo - Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor (left) and Mayor Bev Buckway study the "Yukon Seasons" carving by Shane Wilson at Tuesday evening's unveiling at the Canada Games Centre. Star photo by Vince Fedoroff
The government is very pleased that the artwork entitled "Yukon Seasons" is back on public display at the Canada Games Centre, Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor said today.
Former Yukoner Shane Wilson's carving was stolen from the Centre in September 2007. With public assistance, the RCMP recovered the stolen artwork in April.
The Department of Tourism and Culture's museums conservator cleaned the artwork to remove mould, reduce stains and re-attach an antler tine broken during the theft.
"To have this piece lost and then found again is fortunate for all Yukoners, and we are pleased to have it on public display once again," Taylor said.
"We thank the individual who initially worked with local law enforcement officers to recover the carving, which in turn has led to this important day of unveiling."
Attending Tuesday evening's unveiling, Wilson said, "It gives me the greatest pleasure as the creator of "Yukon Seasons" to see it returned to its former home in the Canada Games Centre.
"I express my warmest regards and infinite gratitude to the many fine people and organizations involved in the work of recovering and restoring both the sculpture and its showcase. I hope "Yukon Seasons" will give pleasure to Yukoners and visitors to the territory for years to come."
"The community feels a strong sense of ownership of the public art at the Canada Games Centre," said Mayor Bev Buckway.
"I am sure that everyone is thrilled with the return of this beautiful carving."
The carving is a full moose skull and antlers, intricately carved with images of Yukon wildlife and seasonal changes.
Wilson, who now lives in B.C., donated the work to the Friends of the Gallery for the Yukon Permanent Art Collection in 2006.
The collection belongs to the people of the Yukon, with the Territorial Government acting as custodian of the collection.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
