1909 – 1992 McWilliam was born in Banbridge, County Down in 1909. He studied painting at the Slade School of Fine Art and then worked in Paris. McWilliam turned to sculpture in the early 1930s, making a series of carvings in wood. From 1936, his work was influenced by Surrealism and he exhibited with the Surrealist Group in 1938. His first solo show was at the London Gallery in 1939. After war service in the Royal Air Force he taught at Chelsea School of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art. McWilliam made sculpture in a diverse range of media including wood, stone, concrete, terracotta and bronze and he adopted many different styles throughout his career. He was awarded a C.B.E. in 1966 and the Oireachtas Gold Medal by Trinity College, Dublin in 1971. His work has been shown in many national and international exhibitions including many of the London County Council open-air shows held in the 1950s and 60s and various British Council touring exhibitions in the 1950s. A major solo exhibition of his work was held at the Tate Gallery in 1989. His commissions include The Four Seasons for the Festival of Britain, Man and Bird for […]