Tofino artist Wayne Adams
With love and care, Wayne Adams carves the tusk or tooth of great creatures who once roamed the Earth and swam the Seas. Through the meditative and transformative acts of carving, the Spirits of woolly mammoth, sperm whale and walrus are able to live on.Wayne was born 59 years ago in Edmonton, Alberta. When he was 8, his family moved to Australia to live for the next 6 years. His love of nature brought him to begin collecting eggs as a boy, and later, at age 19, to attend college in Alberta, to study biological science.
In 1970, Wayne came to B.C. to work in forestry as a ranger. This is when and where he began carving. His subject of choice at this time were birds, made from local wood, shells, stone and bone. These, he gave as gifts to his children.
By 1977, Wayne was demonstrating carving at the Victoria Rock and Gem Show. The following year, he met fellow artist Jim Gilbert, who introduced him to ivory. As a conservationist, Wayne would of course, only carve "legal" ivory. To this day, Wayne's pieces are made from ivory which has been found. Over the next 10 years, Wayne appeared on various radio and television programs explaining the politics of ivory.
In 1982, Wayne felt the call to become a full time artist. To kick start his new career, he turned in his pension to enable him to buy an 8 and ? foot elephant tusk. This tusk became a sperm whale and four squid in combat and was given the name Cachalot. It was displayed at the Victoria Art Gallery in "The Profiles of a Heritage", an art show displaying works from 30 B.C. artists of the previous 100 years.
The last 30 years has seen Wayne featured in many magazines, books, newspapers and films including, the National Film Board film "For the Whales", Canadian Geographic Magazine, Organic Style magazine, plus many more.
One of Wayne's more notable shows was Expo '86 as one of 30 artists chosen to represent B.C.
By 2005, 2800 completed pieces have found their place in homes and galleries around B.C., Canada and the world. Between 1989 and 2005, Canadian billionaire, Ken Thomson bought 80 pieces of work by Wayne. He later donated his whole art collection, including Wayne's pieces, to the Canadian Art Bank. Mr. Thomson also donated the money to build a new wing onto the "Ontario Art Gallery" to display his art collection. This wing will be completed in 2008 and with it, Wayne's work will take its place in history.
Since 1992, Wayne has lived on a float house of his own creation, featuring impressive floating gardens, in Clayoquot Sound. He shares this unique lifestyle with his lovely wife, Catherine.
For the first time in 19 years, Wayne is having a show. Over 30 new pieces will be displayed at Enchanted at 381 Main St. for the full month of March, 2007.
As an added experience, there is the opportunity to journey out to Wayne and Catherine's float house to visit their special home. Bookings can be arranged at Enchanted. It is worth the voyage.
Please stop by at your convenience to view and appreciate this unique man's original art of beauty, history and Spirit. As an added experience, we will be having two evenings with Wayne, telling stories and answering questions, Friday, March 2nd and Spring Equinox, Tuesday, March 20th.
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