Collection of Leon Katz, Toronto
Private Collection, Toronto
Literature
Ed. Inge Lindemann, “William Mac (William McElcheran): The Businessman”, Toronto, 1991, pages 26- 28 and 31
Kinsman Robinson Galleries, “William McElcheran: Humanism in Bronze” [exhibition catalogue], Toronto, 2010, pages 2-6
A young artist trained in painting, McElcheran dabbled first in sculpture before committing to the medium. Inspired by European masters such as Giacomo Manzù, Alberto Giacometti, Donatello, and Michelangelo, McElcheran was interested in the heroic larger than life presence of figurative works. First working as a designer and producing religious figures, McElcheran began to develop the ‘Everyman’ form which became the forerunner to his iconic ‘Businessman’ configuration.
The distillation of the figures in classic bronze holds a timeless quality, transcending trends and maintaining their human warmth. In this work, the five men are circled in discussion, each taking on their own unique postures and mannerisms and have been captured in a moment of animated conversation. The unofficial Bay Street uniform of suits and ties, overcoats, top hats, and briefcases adorn the men and create contemporary archetypes of the modern non-hero. The men are characterized in a cheeky portly manner in what the artist described as the image of “the anti-ideal”, a contrast to the traditional athletic physiques of classical sculptures of mythical heroes.
