Discussion
58.4 cms x 33 cms x 25.4 cms (23 ins x 13 ins x 23 ins)
Initialed, editioned 5/9 and dated 1991
sculpted in 1991
Lot offered for sale by Heffel, Vancouver at the auction event "May Live Auction 2016, Vancouver Live auction" held on Wed, May 25, 2016.
Lot 037
Lot 037
Estimate: CAD $12,000 - $16,000
Realised: CAD $41,300
Realised: CAD $41,300
Lot description - from the online catalogue*
Provenance:
Madison Gallery, Toronto
Corporate Collection, Toronto
Notes:
William McElcheran studied painting before sculpture, but gravitated to painters who dealt with sculptural forms. When he crossed into the realm of sculpture, European artists such as Giacomo Manzù, Jacques Lipchitz, Wilhelm Lehmbruck, Ernst Barlach and Gerhard Marcks attracted him. McElcheran was also interested in old master artists such as Donatello, Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and he loved classicism, which dealt with the heroic, the larger-than-life figure.
Early in his career, McElcheran was involved with Catholicism and made religious sculptures, which often depicted an archetype of the Everyman, through which he related the Passion of Christ to contemporary life. As McElcheran moved away from his religious themes, the Everyman evolved into the businessman image, and he declared, "My businessman replaces the classical hero." Instead of depicting a classical hero who was larger than life, McElcheran was now searching to "find my image for the anti-ideal, the anti-hero. So the whole idea of my businessman is that he is exactly that sort of Everyman, the ubiquitous non-hero."
McElcheran's businessman is part of a larger organization, one he must conform to. He is symbolic of the consumer, and the structures and expectations of society. His earth-bound solidity is communicated by his rounded volumetric body cast in bronze, clothed in the classic business costume of coat, tie, hat and briefcase. In the larger context of societal structure, McElcheran identifies the businessman as "not only a result, but at the same time a protector of the industrial age which is based upon the whole theory of the division of labor." He believed we were coming to the end of that time - that we had entered a post-industrial age.
Thus McElcheran creates a sense of nostalgia for these men, who are driven to succeed, to acquire, to conform, to attain power, yet are controlled by their own system. We also sympathize with them because McElcheran imbued each of his figures with hints of a distinctive personality - as he felt that "inside he has little fantasies which he keeps for himself." McElcheran may satirize his businessman, but in a manner that is sympathetic rather than destructive to his subject. He stated, "I'm always trying to maintain the tension between a kind of classical ideal and a satirical statement."
This group of sculptures embodies all of McElcheran's main concerns, and each one is a fine example of his work. In Discussion, the two figures are virtually identical, yet still express their individual opinions to each other in an animated manner. In Flat Out, the businessman charges ahead, stretched out in his pursuit of his goal, which he believes in wholeheartedly. Walking Businessman with Briefcase is the classic single figure, dressed in his business uniform of a suit, marching with purpose towards his goal. Archetypes of our times, these businessmen are players on the stage of life, and we empathize with their sense of purpose and their belief in their way of life.
Please note: the bronze base measures 9 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 3/4 inches.
Madison Gallery, Toronto
Corporate Collection, Toronto
Notes:
William McElcheran studied painting before sculpture, but gravitated to painters who dealt with sculptural forms. When he crossed into the realm of sculpture, European artists such as Giacomo Manzù, Jacques Lipchitz, Wilhelm Lehmbruck, Ernst Barlach and Gerhard Marcks attracted him. McElcheran was also interested in old master artists such as Donatello, Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and he loved classicism, which dealt with the heroic, the larger-than-life figure.
Early in his career, McElcheran was involved with Catholicism and made religious sculptures, which often depicted an archetype of the Everyman, through which he related the Passion of Christ to contemporary life. As McElcheran moved away from his religious themes, the Everyman evolved into the businessman image, and he declared, "My businessman replaces the classical hero." Instead of depicting a classical hero who was larger than life, McElcheran was now searching to "find my image for the anti-ideal, the anti-hero. So the whole idea of my businessman is that he is exactly that sort of Everyman, the ubiquitous non-hero."
McElcheran's businessman is part of a larger organization, one he must conform to. He is symbolic of the consumer, and the structures and expectations of society. His earth-bound solidity is communicated by his rounded volumetric body cast in bronze, clothed in the classic business costume of coat, tie, hat and briefcase. In the larger context of societal structure, McElcheran identifies the businessman as "not only a result, but at the same time a protector of the industrial age which is based upon the whole theory of the division of labor." He believed we were coming to the end of that time - that we had entered a post-industrial age.
Thus McElcheran creates a sense of nostalgia for these men, who are driven to succeed, to acquire, to conform, to attain power, yet are controlled by their own system. We also sympathize with them because McElcheran imbued each of his figures with hints of a distinctive personality - as he felt that "inside he has little fantasies which he keeps for himself." McElcheran may satirize his businessman, but in a manner that is sympathetic rather than destructive to his subject. He stated, "I'm always trying to maintain the tension between a kind of classical ideal and a satirical statement."
This group of sculptures embodies all of McElcheran's main concerns, and each one is a fine example of his work. In Discussion, the two figures are virtually identical, yet still express their individual opinions to each other in an animated manner. In Flat Out, the businessman charges ahead, stretched out in his pursuit of his goal, which he believes in wholeheartedly. Walking Businessman with Briefcase is the classic single figure, dressed in his business uniform of a suit, marching with purpose towards his goal. Archetypes of our times, these businessmen are players on the stage of life, and we empathize with their sense of purpose and their belief in their way of life.
Please note: the bronze base measures 9 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 3/4 inches.
Most realised prices include the Buyer's Premium of 18-25%, but not the HST/GST Tax.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Heffel auction house for permission to use.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Heffel auction house for permission to use.