Items Similar to 'Illeagle' original signed ceramic sculpture courtroom animals by Bill Reid
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5
Bill Reid'Illeagle' original signed ceramic sculpture courtroom animals by Bill Reidca. 1982
ca. 1982
About the Item
'Illeagle' is a humorous and playful ceramic sculpture by the American artist Bill Reid. Reid is known for his animal sculptures based around word play, and indeed, this sculpture is about a sickly eagle: In the stage-like courtroom, the judge John Deer oversees as Mr. Mowhawk gives his testimony regarding the illeagle, who lies prostrate as the defendant against a lawnmower prosecution. Bill Reid narrates the scene and speech bubbles appear throughout in stamped letters, allowing the viewer to piece together the narrative of this courtroom drama.
Figurative sculpture built from clay is a very contemporary feature of ceramic art, and indeed some of the most avant-garde ceramics of the twentieth century come from American artist. For most of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, ceramics was limited to functional use, or because of its decorative qualities was relegated as a "lower" craft. Starting in the 1950s with movements like Abstract Expressionism and artists like Peter Voulkos, the traditional forms and functions of ceramics were obliterated. Following movements like Pop Art continued to push the limits of the medium. An offshoot of Pop was the movement known as Funk Art, starting in California, to which Bill Reid is particularly indebted. Funk artists like David Gilhooly and Robert Arneson blurred the lines between art and craft, producing sculptural work, rather than functional work, that was alive with humor. Bill Reid’s ceramic works continue in that tradition and bask in the glow of their creative expression.
white stoneware with color glazes
7 x 9.38 x 9.38 inches
signed "Reid" on reverse
overall excellent condition with no signs of wear or damage
The Wisconsin-based sculptor Bill Reid is known for his witty and fantasy-filled sculptures of animals inspired by word play. Indeed, animal puns fill his own writings about his art! While most of his sculptures today are larger in scale and constructed out of steel, his earlier works are primarily in ceramic. They nonetheless show the same sense of humor and joy that has been a hallmark of the artist’s career. When speaking of his process, Reid says:
“My process of working is elemental; using only a few hand tools and the heat of the torch I build my creatures out of thin sheets of metal and steel rods. Even as a young boy, I was drawn to the siren call of fire. Like a detective, I turn on the heat until the steel talks. Like an astronomer, I study faint sparks of light in the distance and I try to bring them closer by telling their stories about life in the mowzone layer.”
The artist received his Master of Fine Arts from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. His work has gained him numerous awards and has allowed him dozens of exhibitions across the country.
- Creator:Bill Reid (1920 - 1998, American)
- Creation Year:ca. 1982
- Dimensions:Height: 7 in (17.78 cm)Width: 9.38 in (23.83 cm)Depth: 9.38 in (23.83 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Overall excellent condition with no signs of wear or damage.
- Gallery Location:Milwaukee, WI
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1966
1stDibs seller since 2017
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Milwaukee, WI
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- 'Grandmother' original Shona stone sculpture signed by Colleen MadamombeBy Colleen MadamombeLocated in Milwaukee, WI'Grandmother' is an original black serpentine sculpture by the celebrated second-generation Shona artist Colleen Madamombe. The sculpture presents a character common to Madamombe's w...Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsStone
- 'White Stoneware (Face)' original hand-built ceramic plate by Estherly AllenBy Estherly AllenLocated in Milwaukee, WIThis small hand-built plate, 'White Stoneware (Face),' is an intimate and exciting example of the ceramic work of Estherly Allen. She was a student of George McNeil, an important Abs...Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsStoneware, Ceramic, Glaze
- 'Untitled, Vessel' PorcelainLocated in Milwaukee, WIPorcelain 1.75" x 1.75" x 1.75" Sandra Byers creates these small nature-inspired translucent porcelain vessels using a variety of techniques. She begins s...Category
1980s Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- 'Salom 5 lobed pod SB#4' PorcelainLocated in Milwaukee, WIPorcelain 2" x 2" x 2" Sandra Byers creates these small nature-inspired translucent porcelain vessels using a variety of techniques. She begins some form...Category
1980s Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- 'Untitled, Lobed Pod' PorcelainLocated in Milwaukee, WIPorcelain 1.75" x 1.75" x 1.75" Sandra Byers creates these small nature-inspired translucent porcelain vessels using a variety of techniques. She begins s...Category
1980s Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- White Horse, Black Stripes/Black Horse, White StripesBy Susan PottsLocated in Milwaukee, WIIntriguing and Unusual Imagery Name: Intriguing and Unusual Imagery Year: 1984 Venues West Bend Gallery of Fine Arts Susan Potts is a Wisconsin-based ar...Category
1980s Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
You May Also Like
- Flower Monkey WaterfallBy Keira NortonLocated in Kansas City, MOTitle : Flower Monkey Waterfall Materials : Stoneware, Glaze Date : 2017 Dimensions : 11"x 2"x 7" Description : A piece for the wall For the past several years, Keira Norton has bee...Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsStoneware, Glaze
- Poodle Amphora #1By Eun-Ha PaekLocated in New York, NYEun-Ha Paek (b. 1974, Korea) is an artist living and working in New York City. Her work in ceramic – informed by her background in film/animation/video (for which she holds a degree ...Category
2010s Contemporary Still-life Sculptures
MaterialsLuster, Stoneware, Glaze
- Poodle Amphora #5By Eun-Ha PaekLocated in New York, NYEun-Ha Paek (b. 1974, Korea) is an artist living and working in New York City. Her work in ceramic – informed by her background in film/animation/video (for which she holds a degree ...Category
2010s Contemporary Still-life Sculptures
MaterialsGlaze, Luster, Stoneware
- Poodling from the BrayBy Eun-Ha PaekLocated in New York, NYEun-Ha Paek (b. 1974, Korea) is an artist living and working in New York City. Her work in ceramic – informed by her background in film/animation/video (for which she holds a degree ...Category
2010s Contemporary Still-life Sculptures
MaterialsLuster, Stoneware, Glaze
- Marine Power CoupleBy Keira NortonLocated in Kansas City, MOTitle : Marine Power Couple Materials : Stoneware, Glaze Date : 2016 Dimensions : 6"x 2"x 4" Each For the past several years, Keira Norton has been making sculptures depicting human...Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsStoneware, Glaze
- "ROMAN OPERA HOUSE", stoneware clay sculpture, copper green glaze Italy hilltownBy Rene MurrayLocated in Toronto, OntarioROMAN OPERA HOUSE is a stoneware clay sculpture with Copper Green glaze by Brooklyn, New York artist Rene Murray. It measures 19"H x 23"W x 11"D. The sculp...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Romantic Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsGlaze, Clay, Stoneware
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Original Metal Vintage Signs
Original Vintage Metal Signs
Original Vintage Metal Sign
Original Retro Metal Signs
Vintage Tool Signs
Vintage Tool Sign
Metal Sculpture 1989
Large Vintage Metal Signs Original
Nineteenth Century Sculpture
Large White Ceramic Sculptures
Eagle Sculpture Art
Metal Rod Sculpture
Large Steel Animals
Vintage By American Eagle
American Eagle Sculptures
Large Sign Letters Vintage
Large Vintage Sign Letters
Retro Metal Letters