Sold for: $25,000

PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Vancouver

William McElcheran is well known for his bronze businessmen, but here we have a rare businesswoman. With his businessmen, McElcheran took a satirical view, showing them bustling through their world, their round volumetric bodies clothed in the conventional business costume, the essence of “the Everyman, the ubiquitous non-hero,” as he put it. But with Career Woman, we sense a more empathetic point of view; he presents her through her stance and expression as poised, positive, yet determined—a true modern woman. Like the businessmen, she wears the uniform of her world—sleek raincoat, briefcase and high heels—but is elegant and stylish. McElcheran’s abilities in bronze were exceptional. In 1975 he moved to Pietrasanta, Italy, to be close to a foundry there and artisans skilled in bronze casting. He lived there for a number of years, exhibiting in Pietrasanta’s International Sculpture Exhibition in 1977. In Career Woman, McElcheran’s interest in classical sculpture shows in his sure handling of the folds of her coat in the back, which swing with the movement of her confident stride.

The bronze base measures 10 1/4 x 10 1/2 x 1 inches.

All prices are in Canadian Dollars