Description
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.
