Shane Wilson


Shane Wilson is a sculptor who has lived and worked in Yukon and British Columbia, Canada. His principal mediums are antler, horn, ivory, and bronze, from which he creates sculpture in his signature style, a juxtaposition of abstract organic and non-organic shapes, best seen in his moose skull sculpture "Duality".
Originally beginning with other art forms which included drawing, acrylic painting and clay sculpture, his interest in antler carving was sparked in 1985 when he attended a show of antler carvings by Maureen Morris, a well-known sculptor from Atlin, British Columbia.
After moving to the Yukon in 1987, Shane began experimenting with antler carving and found great creative and tactile potential in the medium. He has since worked in antler, bone, horn, mammoth tusk, stone, and now bronze.
His bronze series entitled "Skullpture" includes cast, carved skulls of moose, wolf, seal, grizzly and black bear, human and wolverine.
Shane has taught the art of antler carving during Red Deer College's "Series: Summer School of the Visual Arts".

The 2007 Canada Winter Games Torches

In 2006, Shane was commissioned to create three torches to be used in the pan-Northern Relay prior to the 2007 Canada Winter Games. Each torch was carved from a full caribou antler, and each was representative of one of the three Canadian Territories.

The Great Antler Heist

On Saturday, September 15, 2007, Whitehorse, Yukon was hit by the "Great Antler Heist" or "Yukon's Thomas Crown Affair", as it was variously dubbed in the national media.
During an unplanned, city-wide power outage at approximately 6:30 am, a thief or thieves broke into the Canada Games Center and stole the giant piece "Yukon Seasons", carved from a complete moose skull and antler set. It was the only item taken during the brazen robbery.
On April 8, 2008 an anonymous person returned Yukon Seasons to the Whitehorse detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The person was not associated with the theft, according to the RCMP spokesperson. Apart from some discolouration and a broken tine, Yukon Seasons was recovered intact.
On December 2, 2008, the restored Yukon Seasons was unveiled to the public in its old home at the Canada Games Centre in Whitehorse, Yukon. Valery Monahan, a conservator with the Yukon Government, performed the restorative work on the sculpture. Yukon Government Minister for Tourism and Culture, Elaine Taylor and Whitehorse Mayor, Pam Buckway, were on hand for the opening and spoke at the event. Shane Wilson was also in attendance and thanked those who helped with the recovery and restoration of the sculpture.

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