Overview

This is the story of William Mitchell’s life – his career and body of work from an early age to a life of art with international commissions offered 80 years later. Bill’s zest for life, his love of London, his determination to cover the world with sculptures, murals and decoration are main themes, as his work in Qatar, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Paris and Hawaii testifies. He worked with famous architects such as Basil Spence and Sir Freddie Gibberd who designed the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King where Bill created the famous bronze sculpted doors and designed the Portland Stone frontispiece. He also produced the Stations of the Cross at Clifton Cathedral, Bristol and the Grade II listed Corn King and Spring Queen figures at Wexham and has had a total of nine works of art listed Grade II by English Heritage – more than any other artist. Included are stories about his discussions on art with Princess Margaret, his clashes with Prince Philip, his battles with Mohamed Al Fayed and the phenomenal success of the Egyptian Hall and Escalator in Harrods. He designed the Hall and executed the carving on all 300 panels cladding the walls – no mean achievement for any sculptor but Bill was by then 75 years old. Self Portrait contains a vast array of illustrations of Bill’s work and in so doing reveals the man – a true creative genius, who invariably had a smile or comic story, and whose energy carried projects to completion despite the many challenges. It’s a brilliant and inspiring story.

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9781849955690

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Reviews

'...the reviewer had the opportunity to view three local examples of Bill's work: the large retaining wall panels along Kidderminster Ring Road, Birmingham Hockley Circus deep relief pigmented concrete walling and the Three Tuns Pub frontage in Coventry. In all three examples the condition is stunning... ...it is the insight behind, and explanation of, the development of the various decorative techniques he has used that will be the long-lasting benefits of this book. This is a fascinating insight into the working life of a unique decorative concrete sculptor. It provides the background, insight and wherewithal and the actual works are there to be visited and examined'. Concrete -------------------- '...Self Portrait: The Eyes Within is the result of his mining of eight decades' worth of memories and recording a wealth of anecdotes, experiences and observations for posterity. Brought to life by charming new, cartoon-like illustrations that perfectly fit the personal tone of the book, Mitchell reveals himself not just to be an accomplished innovator, experimenter and sculptor, but a lively and entertaining storyteller with plenty to say about art, life education and society. ...a weighty, glossy, hardback tome... ... Although much of his surviving work in this country is grounded in the British post-war building boom of everyday buildings...the book is as much a journey across the world as a guide to Mitchell's work, describing stints in Australia, Rome, the Middle East, the United States, Hawaii and Paris. ...an overall picture of the man and an emphasis on good design that runs through his personnal and professional life'. The Shrieking Violet -------------------- '...the life of William George Mitchell has been a richly lived and full affair. ...it offers not only an insight into the workings of one of this country's least known, yet most prolific and gifted of sculptors, but also allows for a timely and welcome opportunity to reassess his astonishing body of work. ...this absorbing book... ...it's the sheer breadth and variety of Mitchell's oeuvre... The range of materials, styles, processes and techniques that he developed (and in many cases invented) to enable him to give expression to his vision, combined with a keen eye for pattern and form, resulted in some of the most distinctive works of the period. ...this excellent book can only add to the growing clamour for his much deserved and belated recognition'. The Modernist

Author Information

William Mitchell was a famous sculptor and designer. Amongst many famous designs, he produced the Stations of the Cross at Clifton Cathedral, Bristol and the Grade II listed Corn King and Spring Queen figures at Wrexham as well as the Egyptian Hall and Escalator at Harrods.

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