William Hadd Mcelcheran

Lot # 078 William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran RCA 1927 - 1999 Canadian The Crowd bronze relief plaque initialed, editioned A/P 2/3 and dated 1981 17 x 17 x 3 in 43.2 x 43.2 x 7.6cm Provenance: Private Collection, Vancouver William McElcheran is well known for his iconic businessman images, portrayed individually, in small groups or in a crowd, as in this refined wall relief. He portrayed crowds in small-scale three-dimensional groups, editioned bronze wall reliefs or large-scale works such as the ceramic wall relief in the Dundas subway station in Toronto. McElcheran was a strong proponent of the integration of sculpture into architecture, and another crowd scene, a free-standing bronze relief, is installed at Toronto's John M. Kelly Library. Following a 1971 exhibition at Roberts Gallery that included relief works, a reviewer noted that McElcheran had studied Assyrian bas-reliefs, in which the position in society of the people portrayed was indicated by their clothing and posture. In The Crowd, the foreground figures are finely detailed, both men and women in their classic uniform of business, while in the background, detailing is indistinct and the figures anonymous. They march forward together, a symbol of progress and determination, radiating a quietly heroic stance in contrast to their conformity. Included with this lot is a plexiglass stand that measures 42 1/2 x 19 x 16 1/2 inches.

Lot # 201 William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran RCA 1927 - 1999 Canadian The True North mixed media relief signed and dated 1973 and on verso titled on the gallery label 23 1/2 x 23 1/2 in 59.7 x 59.7cm Provenance: Roberts Gallery, Toronto Private Collection, Toronto Estimate: $4,000 ~ $5,000 CAD Preview at: Heffel Fine Art Inc. Toronto

Lot # 332 William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran RCA 1927 - 1999 Canadian Muse bronze sculpture initialed and dated 1976 and on verso titled, dated and inscribed "unique" on a gallery label 14 3/4 x 8 1/2 x 7 1/2 in 37.5 x 21.6 x 19cm Provenance: Forum Gallery, New York, 1979 Private Collection, Seattle William McElcheran was trained in sculpture at the Ontario College of Art, and in 1973 opened Daedalus Designs, which specialized in the integration of sculpture into buildings. McElcheran had a unique ability to create sculptures that both compassionately and satirically convey the dynamic nature of the corporate world. Muse is a striking work which depicts McElcheran's classic briefcase-carrying businessman, with the inspired addition of an ethereal female figure adorning his shoulder. The two figures, their gazes locked in a sensitive, shared moment, represent the ordinary and the extraordinary. As exemplified in Muse, McElcheran was able to seamlessly infuse corporate culture with empathy and humor, which made him one of Canada's most celebrated sculptors. This work was acquired directly from Bella Fishko, founder of the Forum Gallery in New York. Estimate: $5,000 ~ $7,000 CAD Preview at: Heffel Fine Art Auction House Vancouver

LOT 168 WILLIAM HADD MCELCHERAN UNTITLED (WORKING MODEL FOR POST-INDUSTRIAL KID), terracottabas-relief, signed with initials and dated ‘89, sold together withSUGGESTED MARBLE RELIEF FOR WATERPARK PLACE, PHASE 2, watercolourand pencil, signed with initials, titled, inscribed “W-420 cm,H-750 cm” and dated “Aug. 8, 1988” and FIGURE STUDIES, colourlithograph, heightened with pastel, signed with initials, inscribed“T Bruce, for being more than a business man, Bill” and “A.P. withpastel” and dated ‘87 28" x 60" x 7 1/2"; 70 cm x 150 cm x18.8 cm Auction Estimate: $10000 / $15000 (3) Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist. Private Collection, Toronto. Literature: John Warkentin, Creating Memory, Toronto, 2010, pages101-102. The works contained in this lot provide a glimpse into WilliamMcElcheran’’’’s artistic process towards a large commissioned work,housed at WaterPark Place at 10 Bay Street in Toronto. The 1987pastel-heightened artist’’’’s proof of the colour lithograph includesprofile studies of figures, some similar to those who would laterinhabit Post-Industrial Kid. The 1988 watercolour and pencildisplays McElcheran’’’’s vision for the completed project, leading tothe terracotta bas-relief from the same year, featuring thesculpted figures of businessmen and women, the scene making up thelower centre section of the completed marble installation. Thesethree works of art show the initial planning (both general anddetailed) towards the 1990 completion of Post-Industrial Kid. Featuring the identity and locations of works of art installedthroughout Toronto’’’’s downtown core, John Warkentin discusses thecompleted work of art in Creating Memory: “As soon as you enter thesouth entrance of WaterPark Place at 10 Bay Street, you areinexorably drawn into the huge red marble bas-reliefPost-Industrial Kid (1990) by William McElcheran (1927-29). Thebas-relief, 7.5 m high and 3.8 m wide, faces the street and extendsall the way from floor ceiling in the lofty elevator lobby. Twofreestanding figures, one on each side of the bas-relief, increasethe full width of the sculpture to 5.5 m. Before us is a typicaldowntown business streetscape on a beautiful spring of fall day inthe city. Tall office buildings frame each side of the street,bright fluffy clouds float in the sky, and the roadway is packedwith ethnically diverse people, most wearing topcoats. They are allbusinessmen, but a few businesswomen can be seen as well. Most arewalking rapidly, with only a few stopping to talk. McElcheranportrays a productive society – the people in his many Torontosculptures are always dressed for work and going to or coming fromwork.

Lot # 051 William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran RCA 1927 - 1999 Canadian The Pursuer bronze sculpture initialed, editioned 6/9 and dated 1988 14 1/2 x 9 x 8 in 36.8 x 22.9 x 20.3cm Provenance: By descent in the family of the Artist Literature: Riccardo Barletta, William McElcheran, Galleria Gian Ferrari, 1988,titled as L'Inseguitore (The Pursuer), reproduced page 6 Exhibited: Galleria Gian Ferrari, Milan, William McElcheran, March 1988,another cast from this edition William McElcheran was an architectural designer and sculptor.While chief designer for Bruce Brown and Brisely Architects, heplanned and designed 23 churches and university buildings. In 1973,he formed Daedalus Designs, dedicated to integrating sculpturewithin architectural planning. McElcheran is well known for hisiconic sculptures of businessmen caught up in their corporatewhirl. He imbues these archetypal figures with the irony andparadox of modern life and, although they are robust figures fullof vitality, there is something touching in their completeabsorption in the rat-race of their world. McElcheran regards hisfigures with a satirical yet compassionate eye that compels us toidentify with them. Public installations of these sculptures arelocated across Canada and in the United States, Germany, Italy andJapan. From 1977 to 1978, McElcheran lived in Italy to be close toa foundry he used whose artisans were highly skilled in bronzecasting. This dynamic sculpture, from his desireable 1980s periodwhen he was being represented by Forum Gallery in New York, is acast produced in Italy. Click here for a 3D view. Estimate: $10,000 ~ $12,000 CAD Preview at: Heffel Fine Art Auction HouseVancouver