Allan Crane (d. 2012) is best remembered as the Salt Spring Island artist who sculpted away from the front of his showroom gallery and studio called Stone Fish, across from historic Mahon Hall in Ganges.
There, a tall lanky man in a one piece white house painters coverall, could be found in rain or shine, cold or hot, creating sensuous, living stone sculptures of marine flora and fauna and other west coast abundance. This creative activity was carried out to the delight of tourists and islanders alike who would stop by the road to speak with him or watch in amazement.
Allan discovered his passion for sculpting almost by accident. He had left a teaching career to work at an art gallery when he was given a block of soapstone and crude chisel by a wholesaler. He tried carving and unearthed a natural gift... his first piece sold before it was complete. Since then he has not laid down his chisel. During his career, Allan experimented and tried his hand at work ranging from abstract to highly realistic. He once said of his work.
"I'm always trying different materials and different styles"
No mere trinket maker, his finest sculptures exhibit a complete mastery of the stone in the creation of marine vignettes, where wavy-edged fronds of seaweed are so delicate and finely sculpted that the movement of the ocean is evident. This was a man who was in love with his material of choice. His work is scattered in collections throughout the world, and this exhibit will be a rare opportunity to see a few treasured pieces come together, all that remains of his completed work.