On The Move, 1982

William (Bill) Stewart (1941-2020)

Earthenware

24.5 in H x 5 in x 6 in

Bursting with color, movement, and imagination, this exuberant sculpture by William Stewart is a joyful celebration of creativity.

Layer upon layer of intricate forms, playful figures, and unexpected details come together in a dynamic vertical composition that rewards closer inspection from every angle.

Stewart's inventive approach transforms clay into a lively visual narrative, balancing whimsy with extraordinary craftsmanship. Bright glazes and richly textured surfaces create a sense of energy and discovery, inviting viewers to uncover new characters and stories with each glance. Whether displayed as the centerpiece of a contemporary collection or admired as a conversation-starting work of art, this captivating sculpture embodies the playful spirit and technical mastery that define William Stewart's distinctive artistic vision.

Artist Biography

Bill Stewart was born in Plattsburgh, NY. His work is held in public collections including the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery. He taught at SUNY Brockport for many years, and was a vibrant member of the art community in New York State.

Bill Stewart's sculpture explores diverse concepts, such as non-linear chronology, body decoration and costumes, folk and native art. He combined components in his work, to produce "an eccentric energy," creating edgy, "off-center, weird, absurd, and irreverent" works of art--as he stated. Stewart's sculpture draws from both popular and ancient cultures. They also reflect the artist's immersion in some of the most interesting, if lesser known, art historical movements of the twentieth-century. The brilliant palettes and expressive, distorted forms of Karel Appel and the CoBrA group come to mind. And, certainly, they share a common interest in folk art, children's art and ancient art, as well as the "Funk Art" movement of the 1960s-humorous, pop-oriented and irreverent in spirit.

This piece was donated by the Grainer Family.

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