Self Portrait: The Eyes Within

This is the story of Bill Mitchell's life - his career and his body of work from hospital at an early age to a life of art with commissions offered 80 years later. It describes gaining commissions, experiments with materials and methods and his determination to produce magnificent works of art. Bill's eye for composition, colour and texture was apparent from an early age and he describes how he saw the world as being saturated in colour, textures and shape, seeing glamour and beauty in what could be dismissed as bleak London streets. After college (self-funded) and war service, he was a consultant with the London County Council and given free rein, as long as the cost was no more than the original specified treatment - which was usually a coat of paint! Bill's experimentation resulted in a vast array of new and innovative finishes which was highlighted in an exhibition by the LCC. This led to work with famous architects of the day 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, which are 'pieces of powerful and bizarre imagination'. He has had a total of nine works of art listed Grade II by English Heritage - more than any other artist. Following completion of work at Qatar's zoo, he was coerced into producing something prestigious for the Queen and Prince Philip's visit to the State. With a tight schedule, the garden at Shayhania for the Oryx with its pools, waterfalls and sculpted hills was completed in six weeks and was a massive success. He was offered the position of Adviser to the Amir's Office on Art and Design and was involved in creating interior decoration and fabulous gardens for palaces as well as massive infrastructure projects in Doha. Bill's zest for life, his love of London, his determination to cover the world with sculptures, murals and decoration are main themes, as is his dislike of minimalism and the established art world. Included are stories about his discussions on art with Princess Margaret, his clashes with Prince Philip, his battles with Mohammed Fayed and the phenomenal success of the Egyptian Hall and Escalator. 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. He designed the notorious Michael Jackson statue, which was unveiled by Al Fayed at Fulham Football Club and which created a furore. It was shortlisted for a prestigious Public Monuments and Sculpture award in 2012 - for it to be considered alongside young modern sculptors was remarkable. 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 to offer, and whose energy carried projects to completion despite the many challenges. It's a brilliant and inspiring story.

About the Author :
Sculptor, artist and designer

Review :
'...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 '...it is the insight behind, and explanation of, the development of the various decorative techniques he has used that will be the long-lasting benefit 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 '...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