William McElcheran: Paper To Bronze May 4-31, 2013 | Online Exhibition Catalogue » William McElcheran (1927-1999) embraced a wide variety of media as a means of expression. He was equally adept at drawing, painting, bas-relief and sculpture. This exhibition offers a rare glimpse into McElcheran's artistic media. It covers two-dimensional prints, drawings, pastels and three-dimensional terra-cotta reliefs and bronze sculpture. McElcheran was one of the most accomplished and versatile figurative sculptors of the twentieth century. A virtuoso, he started modelling realistic portraits at the age of 10. He was given advanced standing into second year at the Ontario College of Art at the age of 16 due to his exceptional ability and his considerable body of work. His natural talent blossomed there earning him a painting scholarship and later the Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal. Most nights he attended life drawing classes after painting and modelling from the figure all day. He even made a special arrangement with the custodian to let him in early so that he could do an hour’s work—sculpting in clay—before classes started. During his lengthy professional career, he worked in a variety of media—from carving in wood and marble to modelling in clay to casting in fiberglass and bronze. From early on, Bill McElcheran resolved to have any recognition of his work based on content rather than form. He was determined to be recognized for the humanism of his sculpture. This resolve ultimately led him to create his ‘non-hero’ or ‘everyman’— the single, bronze businessman. Lesser known, but no less significant, are his commissioned works for a wide range of architectural and environmental projects. McElcheran’s 1964 commission for St. Teresa’s Parish (St. John’s, NL) showcases some of his finest work. Not only did he design the church itself, he designed and cast the Stations of the Cross as well as the Baptismal font cover. He painted Our Lady of Newfoundland for the Adoration Chapel. He carved the four evangelists that adorn the sanctuary. He designed and created the tester that hangs above the altar. Bill McElcheran is well-known for his bronze businessmen which are included in important public, corporate and private collections on three continents. The wit and irony of these pieces comes from McElcheran's broad and deep knowledge of and insight into philosophy and art. German art professor, Gerhard Finkh once wrote, “An understanding forgiveness for the human being in the businessman is discernible.” Over his lifetime, McElcheran sought a new synthesis of plastic expression in a much larger human context than most contemporary sculpture had previously tackled. It was his combination of masterful craftsmanship, intellect and moral courage which gave rise to the powerful humanism which animates all of his work. Bill McElcheran, the sculptor, always kept in mind the context of his work as he created each individual piece. His businessmen are not mere figures in bronze; these hurrying figures touch the world with their relevant subject matter which is immediately identifiable. McElcheran's satire was pointed but never cruel. In a 1973 review, freelance journalist Sol Littman wrote, “McElcheran’s work is bitingly satiric yet warmly human.” While McElcheran poked fun at the business elite, he distilled his bronzes into classic forms which never lost their grace and movement. Though often remembered for his bronze businessmen, Bill McElcheran completed many large, architectural achievements of diverse subjects during his lifetime. Any assessment of his works should take into account the larger context within which his businessmen are found and might appropriately be called "The Art and Humanism of William McElcheran." SELECTED COLLECTlONS Art Gallery of Hamilton; University of Toronto; York University; McMichael Canadian Art Collection; Robert McLaughlin Gallery; City of Guelph; City of Cobourg; City of Windsor; University of Windsor; London Regional Art Gallery; Art Gallery of Windsor; Art Gallery of St. Catherines; Northern and Central Gas Corporation; Norcen Energy Resources; Holy Blossom Temple; Imperial Oil of Canada; Brascan; Steel Company of Canada; Toronto Stock Exchange; Canadian lmperial Bank of Commerce; Royal Bank of Canada; Oklahoma Arts Center; Standard Broadcasting; Dofasco; Dupont Canada; GlaxoSmithKline; Eastern Construction; Ondaatje Corporation; Bresler Management; Capital Place; Ministry of Urban Affairs; ACTRA Award Design; McMaster University; St. Augustine's Seminary; Schlemmer GmbH; Stephen Avenue Walk (8th Avenue, Calgary); Foothills Hospital; Water Park Place; Toronto Transit Commission; St. Teresa's Parish, St. John's, NL Art copyright © 2013 Daedalus Designs Inc. Photography © 2013 Michael Cullen/Trent Photographics. Text copyright © 2013 Kinsman Robinson Galleries. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No component of this website, including images, text, video and computer code, may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means—electronic, graphic, digital or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage & retrieval systems—without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder(s). Videography and editing: John MacGregor Newman