WILLIAM ANTHONY

WILLIAM ANTHONY (1934-2022)


(USA)

A Tribute to William Graham Anthony

(1934-2022)

By Dore Bowen, Brooklyn Rail April 2023

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

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G36           CARTIST WITH BERET                           ED     2200

G36D         VERY SMALL UNIDENTIFIED

                 NON-FLYING OBJECT                            ED     1260

G36E         MISS LICHTENSTEIN SMILES THROUGH

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G36EB              “                                                   ED     1260NO PERFORATION

G36F         PICASSO COUPLE                                  ED     1470

G36FB       PICASSO COUPLE                                  ED       840NO PERFORATION

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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 13.10.17

SIZE 32X39MM- 39X32MM  35MMX32MM


G86 AMNON ED 6400

G87A RAUCHENGOAT ED 2100

G87B SMALL UNIDENTIFIED NON -FLYING

OBJECT, AFTER BASKO ED 2100

G87C UNTITLED ED 1680

G81D UNTITLED (GIRL IN BED) ED 1680



G86.87FF A-G FIRST DAY COVER ED 20


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


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