William ‘Bill’ Kerr. Sculptor. Kingston. Ontario. Active mid-20th century.
William Kerr was a primitive sculptor of people, especially characters from life, comic strips and situations; and even himself as ‘the wood carver’. Many of his works were stained and varnished and others were painted in strong and bright ‘as found’ colors. His work was powerful, sophisticated and very tongue in cheek at times. His materials were ‘as found’; from wood to costume jewelry and high gloss house paint. None of his works were ever sold during his life time. He died at the turn of the century (1999).
Shown are some examples. A painted work: ‘The Self-Portrait’. And a varnished work: ‘Old man with his dog headed cane and Pipe’. Both carvings mid 20th century.
- Bill Kerr Self-portrait.
Bill Kerr Carving of a man on a stump.
Bill Kerr. A Bejeweled Maggie; and of course Jiggs:*
Bill Kerr. Kingston, Ont. Maggie and Jiggs. 1970’s.
Bill Kerr. The Wood Carver with his Sign:*
Bill Kerr. KIngston, Ont. His Sign. C.1980.
Machine Gun Kelly by Bill Kerr:
Bill Kerr. Kingston, Ont. Machine Gun Kelly.
* With permission. From a private collection
