The Conversation

As you walk down Calgary’s historic major pedestrian mall Stephan Avenue you will find a humorous bronze sculpture of two men deep in a discussion.   Outfitted in their business attire (dress coat, tie, hat and briefcase) one man is amicably gesturing his opinion while the other businessman is reassuring him that he understands his point of view. The Conversation is artwork created by artist William Hodd (Bill) McElcheran and is one of the many public sculptures that can be found at the Toronto Stock Exchange, Dundas Station, Toronto Transit Commission, McMaster University, York University, the University of Toronto, on Wellington Street and at Bay and King Street in Toronto, and in the Odette Sculpture Park.

These voluminous figures are part of McElcheran’s famed businessman figures cast in bronze. Bill communicates a sense of nostalgia for these men that are controlled by their own system with a drive to succeed and conform to acquire and attain power. Bill McElcheran was born in Hamilton, Ontario and studied at the Ontario College of Art where he later taught sculpture from 1960 to 1967. The Conversation was donated to the City in 1981 by Norcen Energy Resources.

Go stroll down Stephan Ave. and join in the conversation. Who knows, a great idea may develop. Become involved with the excitement of the hustle and bustle of downtown business.