The late William McElcheran is a reknowned Canadian sculptor, best known for his "Businessman" sculpture series. These bronze statues depict one or more portly business men dressed in 1950s style trench coats and fedora hats, shown in various poses and situations. Their faces are usually bland and expressionless, but there is something about oddly compelling about them. Maybe it's because they represent the white-collared corporate common man, and therefore are easy to relate to.
I saw my first McElcheran statue in Yorkville in front of the Kinsman Robinson Gallery and was immediately fascinated by it. It was a life-sized statue of the business man looking at his watch. Entering the art gallery, I found that it represented the estatate of William McElcheran, and therefore had multiple articles of his work on display and for sale. It was very interesting speaking to the curator, who was rather an expert on the subject.
After this first sighting, I began noticing more Businessman statutes scattered throughout Toronto. There is actually a small one of the business man in full stride, at the corner of Yonge and St. Clair, just a block from my home. There is another lifesized one of a pair of businessman bumping into each other, on the grounds of Commerce Court. There is also supposed to be one at Water Park Place, at 10 Bay Street. I have not seen this one yet, but plan to go look at it. Apparently McElcheran was commissioned to create pieces that now reside across Canada, United States, Italy, Germany and Japan. Maybe one day I will see statutes from other cities and countries.
From October 15 through November 20, there will be an exhibit of McElcheran's Businessman statues on display at the Burlington Art Centre. A Curator talk and tour will take place on Sunday October 30 at 2pm. I will be going to this and will report more on this subject as I learn more from this tour.
Burlington Art Centre
1333 Lakeshore Road
Burlington, On L7S 1A9
(905) 632-7796 Mon-Thu 9am-10pm; Fri/Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 12-5pm
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