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109 FREDERICK E. MC WILLIAM HRUA RA (1909-1992) Backwards (1975)Bronze, 30 x 20 x 9cm (11¾ x 8 x 3½’’)
Signed with initials and number 1/5
Exhibited: ‘F.E. McWilliam at Banbridge Exhibition’, The F.E. McWilliam Museum, September 2008 - February 2009 and travelled to Highlanes Gallery,
February - April 2009.
Literature: ‘F.E. McWilliam at Banbridge’ 2008, by Denise Ferran, illustrated p.106; ‘The Sculpture of F.E. McWilliam’ by Denise Ferran, Catalogue Rai-
sonne
No.413, illustrated p.160.
Following on from “The Women of Belfast series” (1972 - 1975), McWilliam started a new series of works in 1975 called ‘The Banner Series’ which
were inspired by the women on the protest marches in the North. As Denise Ferran has pointed out he was inspired by these ‘women as survivors
and campaigners for peace. United as mothers across the religious and political divide we marched through towns and galvanised speakers’.
Although the ‘Peace People’ were his inspiration for this series, the banners often carried witty slogans. These two works, “Forwards” and “Back-
wards”, are as relevant today as they were when modelled over 40 years ago. Just like in the ‘Women of Belfast’ series the women’s faces are covered
and his modelling of the drapery gives life to the sculptures.
Our thanks to Denise Ferran whose writings on the sculptor formed the basis of this catalogue entry.
€ 6,000 - 8,000