Lot 332: William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran 1927 - 1999

William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran 1927 - 1999 Canadian bronze sculpture Muse 14 3/4 x 8 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches 37.5 x 21.6 x 19 centimeters initialed and dated 1976 and on verso titled, dated and inscribed ""unique"" on a gallery label 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 a d 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.