Artist Bill Mack is considered the world’s finest and most innovative relief sculptor of today, but what many do not know is that Mack is also an outstanding realist painter and an avid collector of art and all kinds of fascinating memorabilia. Because of this rare combination of talents and interests, he was approached in 2007 to purchase the metal from the original Hollywood Sign which stood on the side of Mount Lee from 1923 – 1978 when it was replaced with the replica we see there today.
The 45-foot-high original HOLLYWOODLAND sign was erected as a temporary structure in 1923 to advertise a housing development by the same name. As the entertainment industry grew, the sign became a symbol of the glamour and magic of Hollywood. It was declared Cultural Monument #111 in 1973 but by 1978 had gone into disrepair and needed to be replaced.
From there, the metal from the original sign was placed in storage for almost 30 years until Mack was approached in 2007 to purchase the sign. Of course, the collector could not resist: “Unless the Eiffel Tower or the Statue of Liberty was put up for sale, this was the last chance to acquire one of the world’s most iconic structures.”
Since acquiring the sign Mack now paints the likenesses of the great movie stars from the Golden Years of Hollywood on the metal itself. It is this metal that was revered by all the young actors and actresses who climbed Mount Lee to touch it and have pictures taken with it for luck, and as a rite of passage into their new professions.
The history of this metal brings life to the legendary images that Bill Mack paints on it. Mack offers original paintings and a limited number of variants on the metal from the Original Hollywood Sign. Commission paintings of your favorite Hollywood stars are available on approval by the artist.
An incredible selection of Hollywood Sign paintings, alto-relief sculptures, and other original paintings will be on display and available for acquisition during the exhibition.