William McElcheran

William Hodd ("Bill") McElcheran (Hamilton, Ontario; 1927–1999) was a Canadian designer and sculptor.

Career

McElcheran began modeling portraits as a boy at the age of 10. When he was 16, he was granted an advanced second-year standing at the Ontario College of Art where he studied until 1948, receiving training as a carpenter and designer. During his time at the College, he earned a painting scholarship, and upon graduating at the top of his class in 1948, was awarded the Lieutenant-Governor's Medal. In the mid-fifties, he was employed by Bruce Brown and Brisely Architects in Toronto as a liturgical designer. During his employment, he became their lead designer for church and university buildings, and made a significant impact on architectural interior design. In 1958, he played a major role in the development of McMaster Divinity College and Chapel, contributing sculptures in stone and wood to the interior.

McElcheran began sculpting in the early sixties with wood, and later used bronze and other materials. After 1970, McElcheran started work on his pieces The Crowd, The (Rat) Race and Businessman, for display in Canadian cities. He continued to develop themes of futility and corporatization in his sculptures until his death.

In 1973, McElcheran submitted Truth-Duty–Valour (1976), two variations in the pose of a 24' cast bronze standing sculpture of a cadet, as a centennial gift from the RMC Club to the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. Numbered, limited-edition, 12" bronze statuettes known as Brucie were sold as a fund-raising effort. A statuette presented to Pittsburgh Township is on display at the Pittsburgh Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Library. The RMC Museum holds two wax maquettes.

He went to Italy in 1975 and resided in Pietrasanta. After returning to Canada, he commissioned a fountain scene (The Family Fountain) for the city of Guelph.

Selected works

• The Race (1966), at the front of Rodman Hall Art Centre in St. Catharines
• Untitled – bronze sculpture, relief (1973), John M. Kelly Library – University of Toronto (first in plastic, a few years later in Italy in bronze)
• Businessman (1980), Wellington Street in Toronto and Cobourg, (Ontario)
• The Conversation (1981), Stephen Avenue in Calgary
• Cross Section (1984), bas relief at TTC Dundas Station in Toronto
• The Family (1985), fountain at Quebec Street and Wydnham Street N in Guelph
• Businessman Walking (1986), King Street and St. Clair Avenue in Toronto
• The Encounter (1986), Commerce Court Courtyard near Bay Street and King Street East in Toronto
• Three Businessmen and Career Woman, outside of Hotel Continental Tirrenia, Via Belvedere in Pisa (Italy)
• Veni Vidi Vici (1989), University of Toronto and the Odette Sculpture Park in Windsor
• The Boss (1989)
• Che Fa? or What's Happening (1995), 108 Cumberland Street, Toronto (Yorkville)
• The Mob or Hunting Party (in plaster), The Village, Toronto
• Encounter (1997), bronze sculpture of two businessmen (1958, 3 of 4), York University in Toronto (outside courtyard next to Student Centre)