By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
A unique charity auction cum wake for the well-known, much-loved and uncommonly talented local artist Diane Gane (1953-2023) will take place this Saturday at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre organized by another key personality in the local art scene, Leza Macdonald.
It’s a tragic story that saw Gane suffer a protracted and undiagnosed illness ultimately resulting in her death as a result of breast implant disease. She had been sick for many, many years during which time her doctors failed to properly diagnose the cause of her ongoing illness, according to Macdonald.
She says that when Gane knew her time was coming, she said: “Well, I’m just going to have all my art in a garage sale.” Macdonald’s reply was swift: “I don’t think so!” she told Gane.
Legs are part of her installation. “Don’t go with the flow! Be the flow!” Contributed photo.
Ultimately Gane decided to have her artwork auctioned with the proceeds going to the Foundry Penticton which offers young people aged 12-24 access to mental health and substance use support, physical and sexual healthcare, peer support and social services.
All together Macdonald says she’s got 27 of her pieces for the auction which will run from 1-3 p.m. followed by which people can pick up their pieces. “We’ll have a toast to her . . . it’s basically a wake,” she says, noting that Aug. 30 will be exactly one year since Gane died.
Her Spirit Animal, Owl Wild Woman Workshop
Contributed photo.
Born in Kaleden, and schooled in Penticton, Gane spent most of her life in the Okanagan. Painting was really only something that Gane got into fully in her retirement from a successful civil service career. Unfortunately, that was about the time she also began falling ill, something that was to dog her for the next 20-odd years.
Macdonald, a retired professional photographer for more than 35 years also taught painting and Gane was one of her star students. “She put her whole heart into everything. I’ve had three major students in my life, in my career, Diane was one of them. “I taught for 10 years and I have not come across that kind of talent, her pieces are brilliant.”
Outdoor Barrel Painting at Fairview. Contributed photo.
A member of the Oliver Sagebrushers Gane’s work has been displayed at various places in the South Okanagan including a number of wineries and other businesses and she also won a number of awards for her work at the annual Oliver Fall Art Show.
Her work covers all media – pencil, pens, watercolour, acrylics, graphite and she loved experimenting with bling, mannequins, leather, feathers, costumes, found objects, sculpture and collage.
In an earlier artist’s statement, Gane described her philosophy of life and art as, “Have a sense of adventure, think outside the box, attack it with zest, rest later, be resourceful and have fun. It overcomes the challenges of art and life.”
Diane the Driller, her masculine side Wild Woman Workshop. Contributed photo.
Macdonald has nothing but praise for Gane’s talent, continuing, “This woman, her artistic brain is equal to anything I have seen in New York, or France.” Macdonald wasn’t just Gane’s teacher she was also her close friend, calling her “Little Diane”, because at five feet tall Macdonald had two inches over Gane.
In the conversation about Gane, Macdonald is overcome with emotion at the point she talks about Gane’s final day. She relates how Gane had opted for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) and on that afternoon of August 30, 2023 with two of her cousins sharing some memories and laughter as she enjoyed her final glass of wine, she left this earthly plane at 4:30 p.m.
Macdonald related how she was sitting in her garden at precisely that time, unaware of Gane’s passing. “I saw her. She walked across the garden to me . . .” her voice trails off overcome by the poignancy of that memory, furthered by being surrounded by Gane’s art as she prepares for the auction.
The silent auction will be held at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre (5840 Airport St., Oliver) on Saturday, August 31 from 1-4 p.m. For more information contact Leza Macdonald at [email protected]
