William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran
William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran
1927 - 1999
RCA
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, William McElcheran studied at the Ontario College of Art. He 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.
From 1955 to 1960 he was the chief designer for Bruce Brown and Brisley Architects, during which time he planned and designed 23 churches and university buildings. He taught sculpture at the Ontario College of Art from 1960 to 1967, and was artist-in-residence at the University of Toronto’s School of Architecture from 1970 to 1974. In 1973 he established Daedalus Designs, and producing public sculpture in Canada, the United States and Europe. In 1975 he moved to Pietrasanta in Italy for a number of years to be close to a foundry there and artisans skilled in bronze casting. While there, he exhibited in Pietrasanta’s International Sculpture Exhibition in 1977 and 1978.
McElcheran is renowned for his volumetric businessman figures cast in bronze. Clothed in their business costume of coat, tie, hat and briefcase, these figures hustle through their busy day, working within the confines of the structures and expectations of society. McElcheran’s viewpoint is satirical but empathetic – he communicates 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.
McElcheran’s sculptures can be seen in many public collections, such as the Toronto Stock Exchange, Dundas Station, Toronto Transit Commission, McMaster University, York University, the University of Toronto, on Wellington Street and at Bay and King Street in Toronto, Odette Sculpture Park in Windsor and Stephen Avenue in Calgary, among others.
HOW TO SELL
AVAILABLE WORKS
HEFFEL’S TOP RESULTS
Discussion by William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran sold for $41,300
William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran
Discussion
23 x 13 x 10 in, 58.4 x 33 x 25.4 cm
bronze sculpture
Estimate: $12,000 - $16,000 CDN
Sold for: $41,300 CDN (premium included)
Spring 2016 - 1st Session on Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Businessman by William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran sold for $40,250
William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran
Businessman
49 1/2 x 20 x 26 in, 125.7 x 50.8 x 66 cm
bronze sculpture
Estimate: $25,000 - $35,000 CDN
Sold for: $40,250 CDN (premium included)
Post-War & Contemporary Art on Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Businessman with Briefcase by William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran sold for $40,250
William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran
Businessman with Briefcase
49 x 21 x 19 in, 124.5 x 53.3 x 48.3 cm
bronze sculpture
Estimate: $25,000 - $35,000 CDN
Sold for: $40,250 CDN (premium included)
Post-War & Contemporary Art on Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Thoughtful by William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran sold for $38,025
William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran
Thoughtful
29 1/4 x 10 x 9 3/4 in, 74.3 x 25.4 x 24.8 cm
bronze sculpture
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000 CDN
Sold for: $38,025 CDN (premium included)
Fall 2013 - 1st Session on Thursday, November 28, 2013
Businessman with Folder by William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran sold for $37,251
William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran
Businessman with Folder
49 x 24 x 18 in, 124.5 x 61 x 45.7 cm
bronze sculpture
Estimate: $25,000 - $35,000 CDN
Sold for: $37,251 CDN (premium included)
Post-War & Contemporary Art on Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Businessman by William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran sold for $37,250
William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran
Businessman
29 1/2 x 14 3/4 x 12 in, 74.9 x 37.5 x 30.5 cm
bronze
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000 CDN
Sold for: $37,250 CDN (premium included)
Editions & Sculptures on Thursday, May 30, 2024
Determined by William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran sold for $34,250
William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran
Determined
29 1/2 x 20 x 10 in, 74.9 x 50.8 x 25.4 cm
bronze sculpture
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000 CDN
Sold for: $34,250 CDN (premium included)
Fall 2017 - 1st Session on Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Flat Out by William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran sold for $32,450
William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran
Flat Out
24 1/2 x 37 1/2 x 13 in, 62.2 x 95.2 x 33 cm
bronze sculpture
Estimate: $12,000 - $16,000 CDN
Sold for: $32,450 CDN (premium included)
Spring 2016 - 1st Session on Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Businessman by William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran sold for $29,500
William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran
Businessman
29 x 10 x 8 1/2 in, 73.7 x 25.4 x 21.6 cm
bronze sculpture
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000 CDN
Sold for: $29,500 CDN (premium included)
Fall 2015 - 1st Session on Thursday, November 26, 2015
Inspired by William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran sold for $28,750
William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran
Inspired
29 1/2 x 10 3/4 x 16 in, 74.9 x 27.3 x 40.6 cm
bronze sculpture with brown patina
Estimate: $12,000 - $16,000 CDN
Sold for: $28,750 CDN (premium included)
Fine Canadian Art Fall 2006 on Friday, November 24, 2006