'Self Portrait' (Jade Acrylic Base - Phase 7) by Shane Wilson (carved musk oxen skull on jade base)
November 17, 2009 Categories: Self Portrait, 2009
The first stop in Whitehorse was Sidrock, to pick up the jade base for Self Portrait.
Sid successfully drilled the hole into the jade, but the only suitable bit size was slightly smaller than the white plastic cup prepared for the acrylic stand, so he had the cup machined to reduce its external diameter, making for a precise fit.
The jade boulder was left in its original condition, apart from the hole and some leveling on the bottom surface.
The above pictures were taken in the preparation room at the Yukon Arts Centre, prior to the unveiling.
Note how the overall colour of the piece changes with different lighting, including the reflected light from the jade boulder.
(musk oxen horn bronze skull carving, musk oxen horn bronze skull sculpture)
Sid successfully drilled the hole into the jade, but the only suitable bit size was slightly smaller than the white plastic cup prepared for the acrylic stand, so he had the cup machined to reduce its external diameter, making for a precise fit.
The jade boulder was left in its original condition, apart from the hole and some leveling on the bottom surface.
The above pictures were taken in the preparation room at the Yukon Arts Centre, prior to the unveiling.
Note how the overall colour of the piece changes with different lighting, including the reflected light from the jade boulder.
(musk oxen horn bronze skull carving, musk oxen horn bronze skull sculpture)
'Self Portrait' (Jade Acrylic Base - Phase 6) by Shane Wilson (carved musk oxen skull on jade base)
October 04, 2009 Categories: Self Portrait, 2009
The acrylic stand is now complete, so I travelled to Vancouver today to pick it up and was absolutely thrilled with how it turned out.
Robert Spicer, Associated Plastics, with "Self Portrait" and the acrylic stand he created
Robert Spicer created the minimalist stand to be virtually invisible, while getting the job done positioning two heavy, irregular objects, fixed in space relative to each other. The effect of the bronze wolf skull appearing to float above the musk ox horns has been achieved.
Robert Spicer, adjusting the acrylic stand for the carved bronze and musk ox horn sculpture "Self Portrait"
Robert reports having extensive experience building displays for a variety of venues and museums, including the National Gallery in Ottawa, and says that this project was by far his most difficult project to date.
The cardboard template, seen at the top of the picture above, will now be marked and sent to Sidrock, where the nylon receiving cup will be inserted into the jade boulder base.
To see how the stand works, check out the video below, which I have included primarily for the benefit of the curatorial staff at the Yukon Art Centre Gallery, where the sculpture will reside as a permanent donation.
LINKS: Instructional Video for Installing Sculpture on Stand
NOTE: Podcasts will no longer be available on iTunes. All material has been moved to YouTube where clips can be viewed and downloaded.
(musk oxen horn bronze skull carving, musk oxen horn bronze skull sculpture)
Robert Spicer, Associated Plastics, with "Self Portrait" and the acrylic stand he created
Robert Spicer created the minimalist stand to be virtually invisible, while getting the job done positioning two heavy, irregular objects, fixed in space relative to each other. The effect of the bronze wolf skull appearing to float above the musk ox horns has been achieved.
Robert Spicer, adjusting the acrylic stand for the carved bronze and musk ox horn sculpture "Self Portrait"
Robert reports having extensive experience building displays for a variety of venues and museums, including the National Gallery in Ottawa, and says that this project was by far his most difficult project to date.
The cardboard template, seen at the top of the picture above, will now be marked and sent to Sidrock, where the nylon receiving cup will be inserted into the jade boulder base.
To see how the stand works, check out the video below, which I have included primarily for the benefit of the curatorial staff at the Yukon Art Centre Gallery, where the sculpture will reside as a permanent donation.
LINKS: Instructional Video for Installing Sculpture on Stand
NOTE: Podcasts will no longer be available on iTunes. All material has been moved to YouTube where clips can be viewed and downloaded.
(musk oxen horn bronze skull carving, musk oxen horn bronze skull sculpture)
'Self Portrait' (Jade Acrylic Base - Phase 5) by Shane Wilson (carved musk oxen skull on jade base)
September 29, 2009 Categories: Self Portrait, 2009
Associated Plastics forwarded these shots to establish the correct position of the bronze skull above the carved musk ox horns.
They nailed it this time!
Once the acrylic has been cut and adhered to the column, it will be rounded over and polished.
(musk oxen horn bronze skull carving, musk oxen horn bronze skull sculpture)
They nailed it this time!
Once the acrylic has been cut and adhered to the column, it will be rounded over and polished.
(musk oxen horn bronze skull carving, musk oxen horn bronze skull sculpture)
'Self Portrait' (Jade Acrylic Base - Phase 4) by Shane Wilson (carved musk oxen skull on jade base)
September 23, 2009 Categories: Self Portrait, 2009
In this phase the design of the acrylic stand has been further worked to include the modifications we discussed last time.
You can see that the mount for the bronze skull has been modified to extend it out from the acrylic column and a device has been created to hold the skull in place from within.
Pins have been substituted for screws in the portion of the stand that clamps onto the musk oxen horns.
Also, the extension has been shortened to reposition the horns closer to the acrylic column.
The only modification remaining is to correctly position the bronze wolf skull over the musk oxen horns.
(musk oxen horn bronze skull carving, musk oxen horn bronze skull sculpture)
You can see that the mount for the bronze skull has been modified to extend it out from the acrylic column and a device has been created to hold the skull in place from within.
Pins have been substituted for screws in the portion of the stand that clamps onto the musk oxen horns.
Also, the extension has been shortened to reposition the horns closer to the acrylic column.
The only modification remaining is to correctly position the bronze wolf skull over the musk oxen horns.
(musk oxen horn bronze skull carving, musk oxen horn bronze skull sculpture)
'Self Portrait' (Jade Acrylic Base - Phase 3) by Shane Wilson (carved musk oxen skull on jade base)
September 11, 2009 Categories: Self Portrait, 2009
Today was a travel day to Vancouver, B.C. Canada. My first stop was Associated Plastics to meet with Lloyd and Rob regarding the acrylic stand for the musk ox horn and bronze wolf skull sculpture, "Self Portrait."
They have done a fantastic job inventing a stand that has the strength necessary for supporting the entirety of the sculpture, while maintaining the pieces in their appropriate positions relative to each other.
Lloyd and Rob from Associated Plastics in Vancouver, B.C. Canada
There were several modifications required, which they were happy to implement.
The part of the stand holding the musk oxen horns will be shortened to draw the horns closer to the main column, placing it under the bronze wolf skull.
The wolf skull mount will be modified to extend it over the horns below, while centering it over the division of the horns.
Finally the silver screws will be replaced with black pins and a black ring cap will be machined to sit atop the white cup which will be inset into the jade boulder to receive the column.
It is expected that the modifications will be completed over the next couple of weeks.
(musk oxen horn bronze skull carving, musk oxen horn bronze skull sculpture)
They have done a fantastic job inventing a stand that has the strength necessary for supporting the entirety of the sculpture, while maintaining the pieces in their appropriate positions relative to each other.
Lloyd and Rob from Associated Plastics in Vancouver, B.C. Canada
There were several modifications required, which they were happy to implement.
The part of the stand holding the musk oxen horns will be shortened to draw the horns closer to the main column, placing it under the bronze wolf skull.
The wolf skull mount will be modified to extend it over the horns below, while centering it over the division of the horns.
Finally the silver screws will be replaced with black pins and a black ring cap will be machined to sit atop the white cup which will be inset into the jade boulder to receive the column.
It is expected that the modifications will be completed over the next couple of weeks.
(musk oxen horn bronze skull carving, musk oxen horn bronze skull sculpture)
'Self Portrait' (Jade Acrylic Base - Phase 2) by Shane Wilson
August 28, 2009 Categories: Self Portrait, 2009
Self Portrait has been in Vancouver being fitted on an acrylic support column which will be mounted in the jade base.
The company creating the supporting column and attaching points is Associated Plastics. The concept is great so far, but some adjustments to the positioning of the musk oxen horns and bronze skull elements relative to each other will need to be made.
I am also wondering about the size of the acrylic column. It may be a little large for the sculpture.
I'll be traveling to Vancouver next week and will stop in to help determine the adjustments.
(musk oxen horn bronze skull carving, musk oxen horn bronze skull sculpture)
The company creating the supporting column and attaching points is Associated Plastics. The concept is great so far, but some adjustments to the positioning of the musk oxen horns and bronze skull elements relative to each other will need to be made.
I am also wondering about the size of the acrylic column. It may be a little large for the sculpture.
I'll be traveling to Vancouver next week and will stop in to help determine the adjustments.
(musk oxen horn bronze skull carving, musk oxen horn bronze skull sculpture)
'Male Seahorse', 2007 by Shane Wilson - Stand (moose antler carving)
October 20, 2008 Categories: Seahorses, 2007
The commissioner of the Seahorses decided not to mount them in a shadow box, as I had anticipated. Instead, he created elegantly simple metal bases to allow the sculptures to present as freestanding.
While I initially preferred that the backs of the sculptures not be exposed (since they are unfinished), the stands do compliment the Seahorses quite well.
I have been told that visitors to the commissioner's house have remarked with amazement about the contrast between the rough antler and the finished carving. Check out the video clip (link below).
The Seahorses can be removed from the stands for closer examination due to the use of rare earth magnets, embedded in the wood backing, which otherwise secure the sculptures to the stands.
LINKS: YouTube - One visitor's reaction to the Seahorses
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
While I initially preferred that the backs of the sculptures not be exposed (since they are unfinished), the stands do compliment the Seahorses quite well.
I have been told that visitors to the commissioner's house have remarked with amazement about the contrast between the rough antler and the finished carving. Check out the video clip (link below).
The Seahorses can be removed from the stands for closer examination due to the use of rare earth magnets, embedded in the wood backing, which otherwise secure the sculptures to the stands.
LINKS: YouTube - One visitor's reaction to the Seahorses
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Female Seahorse', 2007 by Shane Wilson - Stand (moose antler carving)
October 20, 2008 Categories: Seahorses, 2007
The commissioner of the Seahorses decided not to mount them in a shadow box, as I had anticipated. Instead, he created elegantly simple metal bases to allow the sculptures to present as freestanding.
While I initially preferred that the backs of the sculptures not be exposed (since they are unfinished), the stands do compliment the Seahorses quite well.
I have been told that visitors to the commissioner's house have remarked with amazement about the contrast between the rough antler and the finished carving. Check out the video clip (link below).
The Seahorses can be removed from the stands for closer examination due to the use of rare earth magnets, embedded in the wood backing, which otherwise secure the sculptures to the stands.
LINKS: YouTube - One visitor's reaction to the Seahorses
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
While I initially preferred that the backs of the sculptures not be exposed (since they are unfinished), the stands do compliment the Seahorses quite well.
I have been told that visitors to the commissioner's house have remarked with amazement about the contrast between the rough antler and the finished carving. Check out the video clip (link below).
The Seahorses can be removed from the stands for closer examination due to the use of rare earth magnets, embedded in the wood backing, which otherwise secure the sculptures to the stands.
LINKS: YouTube - One visitor's reaction to the Seahorses
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Self Portrait' (Jade Acrylic Base - Phase 1) by Shane Wilson
December 03, 2008 Categories: Self Portrait, 2009
The base for the sculpture will be a jade boulder. I visited a stone supplier in Whitehorse, called SidRock, when I was in town for the Yukon Seasons unveiling. He had a large assortment of boulders and we chose this one for the base.
A cardboard template (above) was prepared, which I have brought back to the studio to determine where the hole will be drilled for the stand, upon which I will mount the horns and bronze.
Sid McKeown (pictured above) will also level the bottom, so that it will sit flat.
It is a lovely, clear green colour in its natural state, so will need very little other work.
(musk oxen horn carving, musk oxen horn sculpture)
A cardboard template (above) was prepared, which I have brought back to the studio to determine where the hole will be drilled for the stand, upon which I will mount the horns and bronze.
Sid McKeown (pictured above) will also level the bottom, so that it will sit flat.
It is a lovely, clear green colour in its natural state, so will need very little other work.
(musk oxen horn carving, musk oxen horn sculpture)