WILLIAM ANTHONY (1934-2022)
(USA)
William Graham Anthony, an artist whose satirical drawings and paintings blend humor with profound commentary, created a unique world where art and laughter collided in unexpected ways. Known for his parodying of both classical and modern masterpieces, his work humorously critiques contemporary culture while offering pointed reflections on the human condition. Anthony’s distinctive style, rooted in exaggerated proportions and absurd, childlike figures, evolved from his experiences teaching art. Observing his students' errors, he transformed these "how-not-to" mistakes into a style that broke free from traditional artistic norms, mocking the ideals of anatomical perfection and celebrating the flaws inherent in humanity.
Anthony’s irreverence extended to all subjects, from historical events like World War II to religious stories and contemporary politics. His works, such as Custer’s Last Stand (1984), turn solemn moments into comical farce, while Requiem for a Retard (2019) and Samson and Delilah (2011) take serious myths and reduce them to absurd, almost childish representations. This dark humor compels viewers to reflect on uncomfortable truths about power, history, and human behavior.
A significant part of Anthony’s later career was his close relationship with Sam Jedig and Stalke Galleri, where he exhibited regularly from the mid-1990s until his death. The gallery played a pivotal role in showcasing his work, fostering his reputation as a subversive figure in the contemporary art scene. It was through Stalke Galleri that two important books, Deviant Draftsmanship (2021) and Ironic Icons (2013), were produced. Both volumes, which chronicle Anthony’s career and artistic vision, were published by Sam Jedig, highlighting Anthony’s unique artistic journey and his relentless commitment to questioning art, culture, and societal norms.
Additionally, Anthony’s collaboration with Artstamp.dk marked a unique chapter in his career, where his art appeared on stamps, combining his satirical style with the traditional world of philately. Through Artstamp.dk, Anthony’s work was distributed in the form of stamps, further solidifying his influence on both the art world and popular culture. These stamps, like his drawings and paintings, turned everyday objects into vehicles for subversive humor, making art more accessible and bringing his absurdity into the homes of collectors and art lovers alike.
In his books Deviant Draftsmanship and Ironic Icons, his art is framed as a critique of both the art world and the human condition, filled with humor, irony, and irreverence. His “ironic icons” turn sacred cultural and religious symbols into reflections of human folly, challenging the sanctity of high art with humor that often bordered on the absurd. His works, while playful, ask serious questions about the nature of art and the role of the artist, providing an antidote to the pretensions of the art world.
Anthony’s art, though often dismissed as crude or childish, reveals a sharp intellect and an expert understanding of artistic technique. While it may appear simple, it holds a complexity rooted in its defiance of conventional artistic standards. His work remains a powerful reminder that art does not need to be serious to be meaningful—often, it’s the humor that uncovers deeper truths about society, power, and the human experience. His collaborations with Jedig, Stalke Galleri, and Artstamp.dk ensured that his unique perspective would continue to provoke laughter and reflection long after his death.
PUBLISHED 1.12.2009
SIZE 32X24 AND 24X32 MM
G1A ED 2200
G1ABNP ED 220
G1B ED 3300
G1BBNP ED 550
G1C ED 2200
G1CBNP ED 550
G1D I`M SORRY ED 2200
G1D D I`M SORRYNP ED 1100
G1E ED 2200
G1EBNP ED 550
G1F ED 4400
G1FBNP ED 550
G1FFFIRST DAY COVER ED 30 SIGN
PUBLISHING Day 6.10.2010
SIZE 24X32 AND 30X39 MM
G13A YOU MINJUN GUYS ED 2750
G13AB .. ED 1100
G14A DEAR BRENDA....... ED 2520
G14AB ---- ED840
G13FF +G14FFFIRST DAY COVERED 36 SIGN
PUBLISHED 6.12.2011
SIZE 32X24 MM - 39X30 MM - 30X39 MM AND 53X37MM
G36AA FRIENDLY FACE ED 2200
G36B MANUAL MANIFESTO ED 2200
G36 CARTIST WITH BERET ED 2200
G36D VERY SMALL UNIDENTIFIED
NON-FLYING OBJECT ED 1260
G36E MISS LICHTENSTEIN SMILES THROUGH
HER TEARS ED 3150
G36EB “ ED 1260NO PERFORATION
G36F PICASSO COUPLE ED 1470
G36FB PICASSO COUPLE ED 840NO PERFORATION
G36G BABY DOLL ED 1260
G36H SOUP ED 1250
G36HB SOUP ED 750NO PERFORATION
G36HZ SOUPED 1000COLOR VARIATION
G36FF A-C FIRST DAY COVER ED 32SIGN
G36FFF D-H FIRST DAY COVER ED 32SIGN
PUBLISHED 20.13.2013
SIZE 30X39MM
G42AA MATISSE GIRL ED 4200
G42 MATISSE GIRL (COLOUR VARIATION) ED 4200
G42FF FIRST DAY COVER ED 26SIGN
WILLIAM ANTHONY
PUBLISHED 25.9.2014
SIZE 39X32 - 32MMX39MM AND 52X39MM
G61A EVELYN NESBIT, AGE FIFTEEN, BEING GIVEN A RIDE BY HER DEAR
FRIEND, STANDFORD WHITE ED 1260
G61B GIRL ED 1470
G61BB GIRLNP ED
G61C ANA MENDIETA PRESS A PIECE OF GLASS
UP AGAINST HER BOOBS ED 1470
G61D POMFLEUR ED 1470
G61E THE HAND ED 1260
G61F UNTITLED ED 875
G61FB UNTITLEDNP ED
G61G GAGGED AND BOUND ED 875
G61FF FIRST DAY COVER (A-E) ED 24 SIGN
G61FFF FIRST DAY COVER (F+G) ED 24 SIGN
PUBLISHED 4.6.2015
SIZE 32X39MM- 39X32MM - 35X51MM
G70A DAVID´S PISSER ED2100
G70B NORWEGIAN FOOD ED 2100
G70C MUNCH MAIDS ED 2520
G70D MANZONI MADE MERDE ED 2520
G70E TATOOED GUM ED 1500
G70F LYNDABEGLIS HAS A NEW IDEA ED 1500
G70G BOSCH BADS NEWS ED 1875
G70AFF - G70DFF FIRST DAY COVER ED
G70EFF - G70GFF FIRST DAY COVER
PUBLISHED 14.4.2016
SIZE 32X39MM- 39X32MM - 35X51MM
G74A MATISSE GIRL ED 2520
G74B KLEIN TIME ED 2100
G74C JITTER BUGGERS ED 2100
G74D WW II BOMBER DECORATION ED 1250
G74FF-A-D FIRST DAY COVER ED 26
PUBLISHED 14.4.2016
SIZE 32X39MM- 39X32MM - 35X51MM
G81A MHEAD OF A HOCKNEY GUY,
IN A SACK, WAITING FOR LOVE ED 1680
G81B ENSOR ED 1680
G81C HEADSHOT ED 1680
G81D FINGEROO ED 1260
G81E HOMAGE TO GILLRAY ED 1260
G81F WISE WOMAN ED 1260
G81G ENSOR ENTOURAGE ED 1000
G81FF-A-G FIRST DAY COVER ED 26
PUBLISHED 12.12.2018
SIZE 35MMX32MM
G90 UNTITLED ED 3200
G90FF ED 18
PUBLISHED 22.11.2019
SIZE 32MMX35MM
G95 UNTITLED ED 3200
G95ff ED 24
PUBLISHED 30.10.2021
SIZE 35X51MM
G111A-B UNTITLED, FRONT COVER OF HIS BOOK ED1250
G111A-B FF ED 24 SIGN
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2022
SIZE 28X23MM
G113 UNTITLED ED 750
G113 FF ED 12 SIGN BY SAM JEDIG
View all print sheets here